The history of welfare can be traced back to ancient times, but the most influential period for the initiation of welfare programs in the United States occurred during the Great Depression. In 1935, then-President Theodore Roosevelt introduced the Social Security Act. This act guaranteed pensions, unemployment insurance, and help for children and the disabled. The Works Progress Administration was also established to help the unemployed find jobs (HISTORY.COM-New Deal). A proposal to mandate drug testing for recipients has been put forward more recently, most notably by Governor Rick Scott (right) of Florida. This move has raised the question of whether or not it is ethical to deny American citizens their right to privacy under the 4th Amendment and/or deny access to these programs if they test positive on drug tests, and what implications this may have on them and their dependent families. Since the inception of social welfare programs, many changes and benefits have been added. Now there are many subsections of social assistance such as WIC, which provides basic necessities to women and their children up to five years old (About WIC). TANF, which stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and the country's unemployment program are just a few examples of social welfare programs adopted since the New Deal of Roosevelt's presidency. In 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation into law. Act. This act allowed the federal government to distribute funds to states to support welfare programs. In turn, states have a responsibility to ensure that residents receiving social benefits actively seek work and distance themselves from the need for... middle of paper ......Citedhttp://www.fns. usda.gov/wic/aboutwic/wicataglance.htm WIC:AboutLast modified: 02/17/2012http://www.history.com/topics/new-deal New Deal © 1996-2012, A&E Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved http://www.welfareinfo.org/history/ Welfare Information http://www.ssa.gov/history/pdf/histdev.pdf Historical Development http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011- 06-01/news /29627456_1_aclu-objects-welfare-recipients-rick-scott Florida Governor Rick Scott signs law requiring welfare recipients to submit to drug testing, ACLU objects June 1, 2011 ALIYAH SHAHID http:// www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript. htmlCATHERINE WHITTENBURG http://www2.tbo.com/news/politics/2011/aug/24/3/welfare-drug-testing-yields-2-percent-positive-res-ar-252458/ August 24, 2011http:// www.thefreemanonline.org/featured/the-immorality-of-redistribution/ Harold B. Jones Jr 2006