Some say history judges a nation by how it treats its most vulnerable people. The United States might fare poorly if we look at the Supplemental Security Income program, which provides need-based cash assistance to about 8 million extremely poor disabled and elderly people.

Established in 1972, SSI has strict disability standards and is an option of last resort. It fills the gaps left by Social Security’s work-based old-age and disability insurance programs. Congress intended SSI to protect people incapable of working and lacking assets and family support from dire poverty. But a half-century of neglect by both parties has hamstrung the program.