POVERTY IN THE UNITED STATES
Poverty in Australia
Australia established a Social Security system in 1991 to address the countries poverty situation. The new Social Security
encompasses existing policies along with new policies. The following categories summarize the policies in this program some
were previously enacted as early as 1902 and now fall under the current Social Security system (SSA, 2010).
Old age, Disability, and Survivors
The first policies were enacted in 1908 which was the old-age and disability pension and in 1942 the widow pension. The current
policy addresses old-age pension, disability pension, and a survivor pension. The old-age pension is a supplemental income for
men starting at the age of 65 years old and women at age 64. The individual most be a resident of Australia for at least 10
years. Disability pensions are given to men age 16 to 65 or women age 16 to 64 who have permanent physical, intellectual, or
psychiatric impairments and are unable to work at least a 15 hour a week or due to impairment the individual is unable to be
retrained in a 2 year period.Survivor pensions is a family tax benefit given to a widow(er) with children (SSA, 2010).
Sickness and Maternity
Cash sickness benefits, enacted in 1944, are given to individuals who are age 21 or older (not receiving an old-age pension)
who have a sickness or injury that prevents them from working. These individuals must have a full time job to return to or resume
full-time studies. National health (enacted 1948 revised in1973) or also called medical and pharmaceutical benefits provide to all
citizens of Australia, New Zealand, or for those who have applied fora permanent visa (SSA, 2010).
Work Injury
Work injury policies were first enacted by 6 of the Australian States in 1902. Currently today's policy's provide temporary
disability benefits and permanent disability pensions. Worker's medical benefits include reasonable cost of medical care,
hospitalization, transportation, nursing care, and rehabilitation. Survivor benefits pays a lump sum for a dependent survivor plus
assist with funeral expenses, and a payment every 2 weeks for each child under the age of 16. There are also funeral grants that
can be applied for to completely pay for a funeral (SSA, 2010).
Unemployment
Unemployment was first enacted in 1944. This policy has three subcategories youth allowance, Newstart allowance, and
parenting payment. The youth allowance is given to unemployed young people aged 16 to 20 who undertake approved
education, training, job search, or other activities to prepare for employment or are unable to work because of an illness or injury.
Newstart allowance are for those age 21 up to the pensionable age and are unemployed. A health care card and concession
card is issued to these individuals as they actively search for employment. Parenting payment is paid to social security recipients
who have a child younger than age 16 it assist with paying rent, health care, and concessions (SSA, 2010).
encompasses existing policies along with new policies. The following categories summarize the policies in this program some
were previously enacted as early as 1902 and now fall under the current Social Security system (SSA, 2010).
Old age, Disability, and Survivors
The first policies were enacted in 1908 which was the old-age and disability pension and in 1942 the widow pension. The current
policy addresses old-age pension, disability pension, and a survivor pension. The old-age pension is a supplemental income for
men starting at the age of 65 years old and women at age 64. The individual most be a resident of Australia for at least 10
years. Disability pensions are given to men age 16 to 65 or women age 16 to 64 who have permanent physical, intellectual, or
psychiatric impairments and are unable to work at least a 15 hour a week or due to impairment the individual is unable to be
retrained in a 2 year period.Survivor pensions is a family tax benefit given to a widow(er) with children (SSA, 2010).
Sickness and Maternity
Cash sickness benefits, enacted in 1944, are given to individuals who are age 21 or older (not receiving an old-age pension)
who have a sickness or injury that prevents them from working. These individuals must have a full time job to return to or resume
full-time studies. National health (enacted 1948 revised in1973) or also called medical and pharmaceutical benefits provide to all
citizens of Australia, New Zealand, or for those who have applied fora permanent visa (SSA, 2010).
Work Injury
Work injury policies were first enacted by 6 of the Australian States in 1902. Currently today's policy's provide temporary
disability benefits and permanent disability pensions. Worker's medical benefits include reasonable cost of medical care,
hospitalization, transportation, nursing care, and rehabilitation. Survivor benefits pays a lump sum for a dependent survivor plus
assist with funeral expenses, and a payment every 2 weeks for each child under the age of 16. There are also funeral grants that
can be applied for to completely pay for a funeral (SSA, 2010).
Unemployment
Unemployment was first enacted in 1944. This policy has three subcategories youth allowance, Newstart allowance, and
parenting payment. The youth allowance is given to unemployed young people aged 16 to 20 who undertake approved
education, training, job search, or other activities to prepare for employment or are unable to work because of an illness or injury.
Newstart allowance are for those age 21 up to the pensionable age and are unemployed. A health care card and concession
card is issued to these individuals as they actively search for employment. Parenting payment is paid to social security recipients
who have a child younger than age 16 it assist with paying rent, health care, and concessions (SSA, 2010).
Successfulness in Dealing with Poverty
After 20 years of economic growth, Australia is facing an increase in poverty. In 2010 12.8% (2,265,000 people) were living
below the poverty line. Of these people below the poverty line 62% have Social Security and 29% have wages as their main
income (ACOSS, 2012).
As you read in the above section on 'Poverty in Australia,' their Social Security system enacted in 1991, though existing
policies from 1902 to current were included, is fairly young (SSA, 2010). According to an ABC news report from October 14,
2012, Australia is not preventing poverty it is actually growing. Two thirds of those on Newstart have been out of work for over a
year. Senate just passed changes to go in effect January 2013 to lowering payments for single parents. The Australian Council
of Social Services is calling on the government to commit to a national goal to eliminate poverty. ACOSS is also asking for an
increase investment in wage subsidies and training of the long-term unemployed, as well as initiatives to ease housing cost
pressures (Barrett, 2012). It is a shame to see Australia, as well as America, two beautiful countries with the potential of growth
in economic hardships leaving people behind in poverty.
below the poverty line. Of these people below the poverty line 62% have Social Security and 29% have wages as their main
income (ACOSS, 2012).
As you read in the above section on 'Poverty in Australia,' their Social Security system enacted in 1991, though existing
policies from 1902 to current were included, is fairly young (SSA, 2010). According to an ABC news report from October 14,
2012, Australia is not preventing poverty it is actually growing. Two thirds of those on Newstart have been out of work for over a
year. Senate just passed changes to go in effect January 2013 to lowering payments for single parents. The Australian Council
of Social Services is calling on the government to commit to a national goal to eliminate poverty. ACOSS is also asking for an
increase investment in wage subsidies and training of the long-term unemployed, as well as initiatives to ease housing cost
pressures (Barrett, 2012). It is a shame to see Australia, as well as America, two beautiful countries with the potential of growth
in economic hardships leaving people behind in poverty.