Entitlements

Written By Jonathan Milner

Definition

The kind of government program that provides individuals with personal financial benefits to which an indefinite (but usually rather large) number of potential beneficiaries have a legal right (enforceable in court, if necessary) whenever they meet eligibility conditions that are specified by the standing law that authorizes the program. The most important examples of entitlement programs at the federal level in the United States would include Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Entitlement spending totaled 55% of federal expenditures in fiscal year 2023.

Example

 
 

Questions

  1. What are entitlements?

  2. What portion of the federal spending goes towards entitlements?

  3. What are three examples of entitlement programs?

  4. Who is entitled to entitlements?

  5. If Washington does nothing, Social Security will start to run out of money in about a decade. Who could fix this problem?

  6. If you have a job do you pay for entitlements?

  7. Do you think you will receive entitlements when you are old enough to qualify for them?

  8. Find an image or emoji that does a good job of exemplifying entitlements:

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw entitlements. Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review

Student AP Government Exam Prep Portal
Free

Get AP exam-ready with diagnostic tests, online review games, test review sheets, practice quizzes, full-length practice exam, and self-guided writing workshops. We'll make studying a breeze.

✓ Fun Review Games!
✓ Practice online tests with instant scoring + explanations
✓ Photographs of my beloved pet Beagle Roger!

GoPo Glossary

Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
Previous

Federalist No. 70
Next

Term Limits