By 1930, the United States was one of the few industrialized countries without any national social security system. Amid the Great Depression, the physician Francis Townsend galvanized support behind a proposal to issue direct payments to older people. Responding to that movement, Roosevelt organized a committee led by Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins to develop a major social welfare program proposal. Roosevelt presented the plan in early 1935 and signed the Social Security Act into law on August 14, 1935. The Supreme Court upheld the act in two major cases decided in 1937.
by 1930 the united states was one of the few industrialized countries without any national social security system amid the great depression the physician francis townsend galvanized support behind a proposal to issue direct payments to older people responding to that movement roosevelt organized a committee led by secretary of labor frances perkins to develop a major social welfare program proposal roosevelt presented the plan in early 1935 and signed the social security act into law on august 14 1935 the supreme court upheld the act in two major cases decided in 1937