Final answer:
Social insurance and public assistance are not synonyms; social insurance is based on contributions, while public assistance is means-tested. Therefore, the given statement is false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that social insurance and public assistance are synonyms is false. While both terms relate to government programs designed to provide aid to individuals, they serve different purposes and have distinct mechanisms for providing that aid.
Social insurance programs, such as Social Security and Medicare, typically require individuals to pay into a fund over time, and benefits are then drawn from this fund during times of need, such as retirement or health issues. On the other hand, public assistance programs, like Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps), are means-tested and provide aid based on individuals meeting certain low-income or resource criteria, rather than on prior contributions.