In the United States the welfare system or social programs are a loose collection of numerous programs with corresponding mandates and complicated, poorly managed rules on eligibility, level of benefits and subject to fraud and abuse. The most interesting way to reduce the abuse and exploitation of welfare, while increasing the productivity of programs, is that the government should not loosen restrictions on welfare but rather restrict it with a more effective strategy, with the aim of eliminating those who they abuse social programs. , particularly cash assistance, food stamps, housing assistance, and Medicaid. Welfare is defined as a social process or effort intended to promote the basic physical and material well-being of people in need. (Webster) Welfare or social programs in the United States are the ways in which the federal or local government provides support to those who are less fortunate in any society or community. The social program in the United States includes wide-ranging parts and includes several forms of public assistance. To name a few, programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Food and Nutrition Programs (SNAP), Medical Assistance Benefits, Social Benefits for Persons with Disabilities. The history of welfare in the United States began in the early days, but became more operational when the Great Depression hit, many families suffered economic collapse although the Great Depression affected everyone differently, those who are affected the most they are the working class and those who could not support themselves. The government has intervened to solve the problem and the vast majority of the population asks the government for help for any source of assistance. The federal government has created many programs for... middle of paper... for those who abuse the system. Relaxing restrictions on social benefits will not make the system successful, it will also increase the workload of beneficiaries and create dependency. Reference Longley, Robert. "Welfare Reform in the United States." About.com U.S. Government Information. Np, 01 December 2010. Web. 01 April 2014. Marshall, Jennifer and Robert Rector. “Welfare Reform: What Needs to Be Done.” The Heritage Foundation. Np, 12 December 2012. Web. 02 April 2014. .Sawhill, Isabel. “Welfare Reform: An Analysis of the Problems.” Welfare reform: An analysis of the issues. URBAN INSTITUTE, 01 May 1995. Web. 03 April. 2014. .