Millions of Americans Don’t Know They Receive Government Benefits

[The Straight Story]

Millions of Americans Don’t Know They Receive Government Benefits

For all the worry about being too big and too intrusive, the U.S. government has an invisibility issue with millions of Americans. It spends billions on programs to assist those who, it turns out, don’t see themselves as receiving government assistance at all.

Research conducted by Suzanne Mettler of Cornell University found that 60% of respondents who claim the home mortgage interest deduction also said they have not used a government social program, even though Uncle Sam is the one making the deduction possible. Similarly, 53% of people using student loan programs and 52% claiming the child and dependent care tax credit denied using a government social program.

Furthermore, 44% of Social Security recipients, 43% receiving unemployment insurance, 42% receiving veterans’ benefits and 40% of Medicare recipients declared in the survey that they did not use government programs. The same goes for 40% taking advantage of the G.I. Bill.

The Obama administration gets little love for the tax breaks it instituted two years ago to help stimulate the economy. Because officials decided to spread out the benefits of the tax cut, few Americans felt the effect, and consequently, only 12% knew their taxes had been reduced. Meanwhile, 24% thought their taxes had gone up.

http://www.allgov.com/Unusual_News/ViewNews/Millions_of_Americans_Dont_Know_They_Receive_Government_Benefits_110214

[LuvNewcastle]

1. HaHaa!

Republicans on welfare....

[peekaloo]

2. But they can find their ass with both hands.

Clue them in to these facts and watch how quickly their hands cover their ears.

[PearliePoo2]

3. Ignorant and clueless...

"Keep the Government's hands OFF my Medicare!"

[raccoon]

4. K&R. nt

[snappyturtle]

5. Again, I think it comes down to the M$M! How simple to list

Americans particiaption, maybe unknowingly, in social, government sponsored, programs and policies.

I guess we'll have to be diligent in getting these facts out. The mortgage interest deduction was huge to me as I'm certain it was to millions. Can you imagine what this particular deduction cost the government in lost revenue? Maybe I should STFU, lest the congresscritters get a new idea.

Simply put, Americans don't know how social programs have helped them and the M$M isn't going to remind them.

[barbiegeek]

6. How do people NOT know SS, medicare & VA are not govt?

Doesn't it say US government somewhere--the checks, the application, the VA hospital... WTF!!!

Someone please explain how they miss that!!!

[peace13]

7. Judged by the guy with Medicare who told me to suck it up with Obamamcare.

People are ignorant and that is all there is to it.

[mainer]

8. I'm not sure I'd call a tax deduction a government benefit

I've heard other analysts call tax deductions (like mortgage deduction) a "benefit." What it means is that the taxpayer just keeps more of his wages.