What is the difference between welfare and relief aid?

Probably no real difference, but it depends on various definitions of these two amorphous terms. read more

Welfare is generally a regular payment to individuals who are disabled, have dependent children, are blind, need food stamps or otherwise qualify for government assistance. Relief aid is more commonly thought of as providing things for the victims of famine, floods, storms, drought, war, plagues, etc. read more

Welfare is a broader term that encompasses all programs assisting the poor or the non- or unproductive, like food stamps, rent assistance, daycare assistance, utility assistance, Medicaid, aid to families with deadbeat dads, etc. General relief is cash assistance, and is part of the overall Welfare programs available. read more

In the 20th century, disaster relief became one of the chief activities of the International Red Cross, originally organized in the 1860s to aid the victims of war. Public programs of relief from economic need due to other than natural factors date from the Elizabethan period in England; these early provisions for assistance to the needy from public funds were characterized by strict limitations. read more