What term describes the transfer of money from a government program to an individual, i.e., cash payments?

• A. Public assistance programs
• B. In kind assistance
• C. Cash assistance
• D. Medicaid

Answer: (C)

Direct monetary transfers from government programs to individuals are called cash assistance. This means money is paid directly to people on a regular basis or as needed, such as unemployment benefits or welfare payments, instead of delivering goods or services.

In-kind assistance, by contrast, provides specific goods or services (like food, shelter, or medical care) rather than cash. Medicaid is an example of a health insurance program, not a cash payment. Public assistance programs is a broad umbrella that can include either cash or in-kind benefits, but it isn’t as precise as saying cash assistance.

So the term that describes money paid directly to individuals is cash assistance.