This new text is designed as a practical guide to welfare programs and public benefits in the U.S. It is intended to accompany broad, general welfare policy or introduction to social welfare courses, and to provide specific, practice-oriented information.

The text includes such down-to-earth assistance as the income and category rules for major public benefits programs; a description of the application process for all major public benefits programs; application and documentation forms with pointers (“tips” and “traps”) for successful completion of the forms; and a detailed discussion of the social worker's roles in the public benefits process, with guidelines for practice in these roles.

A glossary in each chapter provides definitions that are used by government agencies in the eligibility determination process for public benefits. Two appendices provide specific disability listings for adults and children for Social Security and SSI, from the Code of Federal Regulations.