Public assistance programs established by social security for dependent children, the poor and the elderly, were systematically denied from many employed black workers. identify the ways in which blacks were prevented from benefiting from these types of assistance programs.

Question: Public assistance programs established by social security for dependent children, the poor and the elderly, were systematically denied from many employed black workers. identify the ways in which blacks were prevented from benefiting from these types of assistance programs.

During the 1930s, when public assistance programs like Social Security were being established, many employed Black workers faced systematic barriers that prevented them from benefiting fully. Here are some ways in which they were excluded:

1. Categorical Exclusion: The 1935 Social Security Act (SSA), which laid the foundation for the modern American welfare state, categorically excluded agricultural workers and domestic servants—a majority of whom were African Americans at the time—from key social insurance programs. These exclusions affected both old age insurance (OAI) (commonly referred to as Social Security) and unemployment insurance (UI).

2. Racial Consequences: Despite President Roosevelt's intentions to create a comprehensive system of social insurance for all Americans, the exclusion of these categories of workers had notably imbalanced racial consequences. Approximately 65% of African Americans across the country became ineligible for benefits, with an even higher percentage of African Americans in the South excluded from the program².

3. Policy Diffusion: While there was evidence that a more inclusive system could have been implemented, the United States chose to follow a pattern observed in other countries. **Comparable programs in other nations also excluded domestic and agricultural workers** when they were first introduced. The key New Deal policy makers were aware of this international context, and the exclusion of Black workers from unemployment insurance is best understood as an example of policy diffusion.

4. Legacy of Exclusion: The large majority of Black working women were excluded from other New Deal social programs, such as unemployment insurance and Old Age Insurance (now known as Social Security), due to their employment as domestic or agricultural workers. This exclusion further exacerbated poverty during the Great Depression⁵.

In summary, the exclusion of Black workers from social assistance programs during this period was a complex interplay of policy choices, racial biases, and international context.

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