When looking at the poverty threshold closer to the present, in 2012, the United States Census Bureau computed the poverty threshold for a family of four as $23,492 (US). Although poverty threshold is adjusted for changes in price, it is not changed …show more content…
The first, President Kennedy was aware of issues with poverty, and would make important improvements in both the welfare and Social Security. The administration added food stamps, Medicare, health insurance for the old, and Medicare, health insurance for the poor. After Kennedy’s assassination Lyndon Jonson became president and started a “War on Poverty.” These legislative, like the Aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) which gave out food stamps, Medicaid and social security, caused the poverty rate to drop substantially. Later the AFDC lost its entitlement status and became the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) which was more willing to feed families then to give money. The last main president during this time was Nixon, who continued the work to reduce poverty with the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) which provides income for needy elderly, blind, and