Final answer:
True, at the onset of the Great Depression, the federal government did not provide a substantial social safety net; relief efforts came later under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt with initiatives like the Work Progress Administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, during the onset of the Great Depression, the federal government provided little in the way of a social safety net or relief for those affected by the economic downturn. While eventually, under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the government did create programs such as the Work Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps, these were later developments. Initially, many Americans had to rely on state governments, private charities, and religious organizations, which were often overwhelmed and under-resourced to handle the crisis. The absence of a comprehensive federal response left many without adequate assistance during the early years of the Depression.