Which of the following is an example of a contributory program alongside Social Security and Medicare?

• A. SNAP
• B. Unemployment Insurance
• C. TANF
• D. Medicaid

Answer: (B)

Contributory programs are social insurance programs funded by dedicated payroll taxes that workers and sometimes employers contribute to, with benefits available to those who have paid into the system. Unemployment Insurance fits this pattern because its benefits are financed through payroll taxes specifically collected for unemployment benefits, and eligibility depends on having paid into covered employment, much like Social Security and Medicare.

The other options are funded differently: SNAP provides nutrition assistance and is financed from general revenues, not payroll taxes; TANF is a welfare program funded by federal block grants to states; Medicaid is a joint federal-state program funded through general revenues with state-specific rules and income-based eligibility. While all are important parts of social policy, they are not contributory in the payroll-tax sense like Social Security, Medicare, and Unemployment Insurance.