1. Why is the Social Security Act an important piece of legislation?

A: The Social Security Act is an important piece of legislation because it guarantees benefits for the elderly and the unemployed. The legislation also provides modest welfare payments to other needy people, including those with disabilities and poor families with young dependent children.

for the elderly and the unemployed.

or
for the elderly and the DISABLED ??

For the elderly and the unemployed.

Its for the elderly and disabled.

That's right. The only unemployed who draw Social Security checks are those who are disabled or elderly.

I included the disabled in my answer, but the Social Security Act helped the unemployed as well.

Am I correct, Ms. Sue?

No. Three of us have told you that the unemployed are not covered by Social Security.

http://www.google.com/#q=social+security+benefits

Well that may be true Victoria but you have to also include disabled in there more the most points.

Yes, the original act also helped unemployed, but social security benefits are for retirement and disability.

Everyone here seems to be confused. The original social security act (1935) provided a pension for the elderly (over age 65) and established or enabled unemployment payments. All of you are right, according to the SSA:

http://www.ssa.gov/history/35act.html