Final answer:
The US welfare system was established during the Great Depression with the Social Security Act of 1935, and the main elements included support for the elderly, widows, and children. The 1996 welfare reform act transitioned from welfare to workfare, focusing on employment and self-sufficiency, allowing states greater flexibility in administering programs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Establishment and Elements of the US Welfare System
The US welfare system was established during the Great Depression, specifically with the Social Security Act of 1935. This legislation aimed to support vulnerable populations like widows, children, and the elderly. The Social Security System was designed to provide government pensions to the elderly, thus enabling them to retire without depending on their children and making room in the job market for younger workers.
The principal elements of the American welfare state included programs like Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), which offered cash payments to mothers with children below the poverty line. However, between the 1930s and 1996, various other welfare and social security measures were developed. Notably, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 replaced AFDC with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), changing the focus from welfare to workfare, incentivizing employment and self-sufficiency.
State flexibility in administering welfare programs increased with the 1996 reform, as states gained the authority to set their own eligibility and benefit guidelines. This transition to workfare is tied to the need to provide a safety net while encouraging economic independence among citizens.