- published: 10 Oct 2014
- views: 11986414
Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) was a federal assistance program in effect from 1935 to 1996 created by the Social Security Act and administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provided financial assistance to children of single parents or whose families had low or no income.
This program grew from a minor part of the social security system to a significant system of welfare administered by the states with federal funding. However, it was criticized for offering incentives for women to have children, and for providing disincentives for women to join the workforce. In 1996, AFDC was replaced by the more restrictive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
The program was created under the name Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) by the Social Security Act of 1935 as part of the New Deal; the words "families with" were added to the name in 1962, partly due to concern that the program's rules discouraged marriage. By 1996 spending was $24 billion per year. When adjusted for inflation, the highest spending was in 1976, which exceeded 1996 spending by about 8%.
You're not the way you used to be
Was it the weight of your regrets
That brought you down?
Step into the deep end, step into the deep end
But don't hold your breath tonight
Don't look away
You know that it's killing time
We're always killing time today
You're not the way you used to be
You'll not live to regret this
And will you find the strength to let this go
Step into the deep end, step into the deep end
It's possible, but can we let this go after all?
Don't hold your breath tonight, don't look away
Don't waste your goodbyes on the truthseekers' lies
Your brothers and friends may all meet their ends