Unemployment and poverty pervaded American society during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Fatherless children ran rampant in the streets. The money was worthless except for buying toilet paper. Many families were evicted from their homes, marriage was delayed, and birth rates plummeted. The economic collapse of the 1930s was terrifying. For about seven years, Americans suffered greatly from the Great Depression until 1933, when Franklin D. Roosevelt launched his First Hundred Days campaign, leading to the launch of government relief programs. Over the years, more and more government assistance programs have emerged and old ones have been transformed. Today, there are many government assistance programs ranging from food needs to unemployment issues. Having a wide range of government assistance programs has advantages and disadvantages, which will significantly affect the financial, social and emotional situation of society as well as the future of the nation. The government provides enough government programs to share aid with the 317,018,130-plus Americans. , which led them to have a huge impact on America. They provide many financial benefits to Americans, such as a safety net in times of hardship, additional benefits to maintain income after retirement, and employment opportunities. During difficult times, assistance programs can offer people a way out of poverty. In 2012, Social Security lifted about 21.4 million people out of poverty, and unemployment benefits helped lift an additional 2.3 million people out of poverty. Without government aid programs, many Americans would live in poverty, which could lead to increased crime rates, school dropouts, and the eviction of many families from their homes. Life without... middle of paper ... society might just come together as a nation. The future may look bleak in the area of ​​government assistance, but we hope that Americans can overcome their differences and help each other through this difficult time for the nation. No. Internet. November 5, 2013. .. Np. Internet. November 5, 2013. .Kathleen, Short. UNITED STATES. US Department of Commerce. Supplemental Measure of Research Poverty: 2012. Web. .Robert, Galbraith. n.d., n. page. .Travis, Waldron. n.d., n. page. .UNITED STATES. US Departments of Labor. Benefits.gov. Internet. .UNITED STATES. US Social Security Administration. Quick facts and figures on Social Security, 2013. Web. .