The program's philosophy is that assets can act as a ladder out of poverty for low-income people.
Assets are the possessions of value such as a house or car, or money in the bank.
Public assistance provides money to survive on, but if you save money, you lose your benefits, leaving you no way to save for the future. A Path to Self-Sufficiency Assets help people feel more confident. They increase stability for families and children and they help people think about the future. Self-sufficiency leads to a more hopeful, positive outlook on life. The U.S. Government has always written policies to help middle and high-income people build assets.