What is the definition of the term "public assistance"?

Public assistance is defined as the programs and policies that are aimed at helping the segments of society that are most vulnerable and unable to provide assistance for themselves. As such, these programs and policies aim at helping the poorest, the elderly, people with special needs, disadvantanged minority groups, people with special health issues, or medical needs, among many others. These programs are always generated supported and managed by public agencies and institutions, under the control of the local, state and federal governments and the allocation for the funds that will feed these programs come from the money alloted to them by the funding plans presented to Congress by the government. The term is called public assistance because literally is the help given by the public, in the head of the government, to the most vulnerable and needy of a nation´s population.

Public assistance is a type of aid given by the government to the person in need, aged citizens; people those who have any kind of disability and children those who are dependent.

Further explanation:  

It is the system of public welfare and the services associated with it established by the government of state as well as the federal government. The targeted group includes people who are disabled and have a certain disability, families having low income, elderly people. It is the type of safety net for disadvantaged people, those who have a shortage of resources of even the basic amenities like food, water, shelter etc.  There are certain kind of welfare programmes that are run by the local government like food programmes under the Food Stamp Act, Medical Assistance is also provided by various programmes. If any person or any company wants to participate in the welfare programmes they can fill an application form with the Food and Nutrition Services. Under the Food Stamp Act, a person can get food from retail food stores. If anyone needs to start a business in wholesale food, they can do so as well. The person can redeem the food coupons as well. Public assistance is in the form of money. The government agencies do the payment only on the need basis. It is given in the form of financial aid to persons who do not have any employment and are poor.

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Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Political Science

Keywords: Welfare, services, safety net, food stamp act, medical assistance, financial aid.