Which one of the following has been the least effective antipoverty program __________? (LO6, 10) a) the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 b) Social Security c) food stamps d) the Earned Income Tax Credit

a) The Welfare Reform Act of 1996: This act introduced the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. TANF provided block grants to states and set limits on the length of time families could receive federal welfare benefits. It also included work requirements for recipients. b) Social Security: Social Security is a government program that provides financial assistance to retired, disabled, and surviving members of the workforce and their families. It is funded through payroll taxes and aims to provide financial security and stability to elderly and disabled citizens. c) Food stamps: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, provides financial assistance to low-income individuals and families for purchasing groceries and other essentials. States administer the program, and the federal government funds it. d) The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): The EITC is a refundable tax credit created to help low-to-moderate income working individuals and families by supplementing their income. The amount of credit a person receives depends on their income, family size, and marital status.

a) The Welfare Reform Act of 1996: The effectiveness of this program has been debated, with critics arguing that it has not significantly reduced poverty levels, while proponents claim it has encouraged self-sufficiency through work requirements and time limits. b) Social Security: This program has significantly reduced poverty levels among the elderly, and it's widely considered one of the most effective antipoverty programs. c) Food stamps (SNAP): This program has been crucial in providing much-needed assistance to low-income individuals and families, making it an effective antipoverty program. d) The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): The EITC is credited with lifting millions of people out of poverty, particularly working-class families with children. Based on the information provided, it can be concluded that the least effective antipoverty program among the given options is \(a\) the Welfare Reform Act of 1996, due to its controversial nature and debated effectiveness in reducing poverty levels.