The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-10-12

Much Interest Manifested In
Benefits OF Social Security
Act For Florida Inhabitants


permit the Federal government to
make any direct payment to blind
individuals. Instead it provides
for Federal grants to states so
that they may give aid TO blind
persons, who are needy.
This provision is very similar
to the old age assistance plan. 1t
calls for matching funds on a dol
Ear for dollar basis by the govern
ment and five pc cent additional
grant for administrative costs, the
same residence requirements, the
same limitation of federal partici-
patton to SIS per month Ter per-
son and the same kind of state
participation as the old age assist
ance title. 1t differs from old
age assistance in that it is avail
able to any needy adult blind
person regardless of age except
that he may not get benefits for
the blind while receiving cd age
assistance.
Conduct Survey
Figures secured in a recent
statewide survey indicate there
are. in Florida approximately l.
200 blind people who can meet the
eligibility requirements.
According to the best estimates
available there are more than one
million dependent children in this
country. They have been depriv-
ed of parental support through
death or other causes. In caring
for these children in their own
homes, society is making a wise in
vestment in its future citizens.
The Importance of home life in
childhood cannot be over empha-
sized. If these children are to
grow up in thei- own homes. as
sistance must be provided so that
these families will not be broken
up because of poverty. Experience
has taught that it actually costs
less to care for child in its own
home than it does in an institu-
ton.
1t is best for the mother or for
the relatives who are willing to as
sumo the responsibility, because it
gives a measure of security and the
opportunity for planning ahead for
the child during it growing years.
1t is best for the child because
good home gives security and
happiness for the present and
sound experience on which to
build his future. 1t offers the nur-
ture and discipline which only love
can supply, the giye-and-take of
doing and sharing with others and
the sense of solidarity and belong
ing al of which make a solid bed
rock for character and for good
citizenship.
Administration Of the three
types of public assistance, it is
shown, is left in the hands of the
state. The security board mere
ly determines whether the state
plan meets the general conditions
of the act. TIL state designates its
own administrative agency, selects
its own personnel. fixes its own
figures for the individual pay
ments, decides its own method OF
raising its own Part of the funds
and otherwise directs the opera
ton of its own plan.
The state of Florida as a polit-
zeal entity, just as other states
have a responsibility for the eee-
nonic security of its needy citi-
zens. There are SO states which
have already qualified for old age
pensions, 80 FOR mothers aid and
% for aid to the blind. Others
have filed applications or are pre-
pairing TO do so as soon as the
proper legislative action can be
taken.
The present old age pension
system which recently became op-
erative in Florida is temporary
arrangement, as stated in another
part of this article, and win end on
July 1, 1887. Payments after
that date viii depend upon ap-
prevail by the voters on November
8 of the Human Security Amend
ment which win enable the state
!. :.