Final answer:
Social rights to programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) require proof of insufficient financial resources, a mechanism referred as means-testing. TANF replaced AFDC after the welfare reform act of 1996, providing time-limited assistance with work requirements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social rights to public assistance, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), are contingent on proof of insufficient financial resources. This concept is referred to as means-testing. Means-testing is a mechanism to determine eligibility for certain forms of government assistance by assessing an individual's or family's financial resources to ensure that assistance is given to those who truly need it.
From the Great Depression until 1996, the primary U.S. antipoverty program was Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), which provided cash payments to mothers with children under the poverty line. However, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, often called the "welfare reform act", replaced AFDC with TANF. This safety net program is time-limited, with most states offering assistance for a maximum of 5 years, and requires recipients to meet certain work requirements.