55% Believe Too Many People Are Receiving Federal Benefits Rather Than Working

Posted on November 14, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Fifty-five percent (55%) of voters believe that too many people are receiving federal benefits rather than working. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 34% disagree and believe that too many people are not receiving the government help they need to get by.

The data highlights a significant divide within the Democratic coalition.

Among those who support policies like those of Senator Bernie Sanders, 59% believe too many people are not receiving the government help they need. Just 28% of Sanders’ voters believe too many people are receiving benefits.
Voters who prefer traditional Democratic policies are evenly divided on the question.

Most Republicans and Independents tend to believe that too many people are receiving benefits rather than working.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question 1:

Generally speaking, which of the following is the bigger problem today: too many people are receiving federal benefits rather than working or too many people are not receiving the government help they need to get by?

55% Too many people are receiving federal benefits rather than working

34% Too many people are not receiving the government help they need to get by

11% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 25-27, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

78% Favor Work Requirements For Those Receiving Government Benefits

Posted on September 24, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

If someone is physically able to work, 78% of voters believe they should be required to seek a job in order to receive financial support from the government. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 13% disagree and 9% are not sure.

A solid majority of every measured demographic group supports the work requirement. That includes 86% of Republicans, 76% of Independents, and 73% of Democrats.

Overall, 54% Strongly Favor work requirements and 4% are Strongly Opposed.

Earlier this year, the Biden Administration removed work requirements for the Child Care Tax Credit. Sixty-six percent (66%) of voters favor restoring the work requirement for all who are physically able to work. Twenty-four percent (24%) are opposed.

Restoring the work requirement is favored by a majority of every measured demographic group. That includes 75% of Republicans, 65% of Democrats, and 57% of Independents.

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* If someone is physically able to work, do you favor or oppose requiring that they seek a job in order to receive financial support from the government?

54% Strongly favor

24% Somewhat favor

9% Somewhat oppose

4% Strongly oppose

9% Not sure

* Until this year, parents had to have income from a job to qualify for the Child Tax Credit. The Biden administration did away with the work requirement. Do you favor or oppose restoring the work requirement for all who are physically able to work?

44% Strongly favor

22% Somewhat favor

14% Somewhat oppose

10% Strongly oppose

10% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from September 16-18, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 263 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

41% of Voters Believe Benefits of Government Are Worth the Cost

Posted on August 16, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Forty-one percent (41%) of voters believe the benefits of government are worth the costs and regulations. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 33% disagree and 26% are not sure.

Sixty percent (60%) of Democrats believe government is worth the cost. However, just 28% of Republicans and 26% of Independent voters agree.

By a 41% to 33% margin, those who like traditional Republican policies say government is worth the cost. However, by a 49% to 26% margin, those preferring Trump-like policies say government is not worth the cost.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of urban voters believe government is worth the cost. That view is shared by 39% of suburban voters and 30% of urban voters.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen from August 10-11, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

71% Favor Ending Supplemental, Pandemic Related, Unemployment Benefits

Posted on June 6, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Seventy-one percent (71%) of voters favor ending the pandemic related supplemental unemployment payments and returning unemployment benefits to normal levels. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 19% are opposed and 10% are not sure.

Those totals include 51% who Strongly Favor ending those supplemental benefits and 9% who are Strongly Opposed.

The debate over these benefits has taken on increased urgency in the wake of two consecutive disappointing jobs reports.

Twenty-five states have already ended the supplemental benefits or scheduled a date for doing so. As with just about everything related to the pandemic, there is a huge partisan divide. All 25 states that have dropped the extra benefits have Republican governors.

Among the public, however, support for ending the benefits is found across partisan, ideological, and demographic lines. A majority of voters in every measured demographic group favor ending those benefits. Support comes from 86% of Republicans, 67% of Independent voters, and 59% of Democrats.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of voters believe that ending the supplemental benefits will encourage people currently receiving unemployment benefits to take a job.

Many policy debates in Washington seem distant to voters and almost theoretical in nature. However, this topic is much more tangible to many. Forty-six percent (46%) of voters know someone who is making more money by collecting unemployment than they could earn by working. Among those who know someone in that situation, 82% favor ending the supplemental benefits.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from June 3-5, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 237 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

52% Share Reagan’s View That “Help” From the Government Can Be Terrifying

Posted on May 20, 2020 | by Scott Rasmussen

Ronald Reagan famously declared that the nine most terrifying words in the English language are “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” Those words continue to resonate with many Americans.

The latest Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 52% of voters share Reagan’s view of how terrifying government “help” can be. Only 35% disagree while 13% are not sure.

The implications of this finding during a time of lockdowns were addressed in a Newsweek column by Scott Rasmussen.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of Republicans today agree with Reagan’s view. So do 46% of Democrats and 44% of Independents.

The view is shared by 51% of white voters, 49% of black voters, and 54% of Hispanic voters.

It is also shared by 56% of Rural voters, 53% of Suburban voters, and 48% of Urban voters.

Just 45% of college graduates share Reagan’s view. Among those without a degree, that figures rises to 55%.

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The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from May 14-16, 2020. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or by text while 238 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Certain quotas were applied, and the overall sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

64% Believes Governments Should Cover Losses of Businesses They Shut Down

Posted on May 12, 2020 | by Scott Rasmussen

Sixty-four percent (64%) of voters nationwide believe the government should be required to compensate business owners for any losses caused by the government ordered shutdown. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 15% disagree and 21% are not sure.

This is one aspect of the lockdown era that enjoys support across party lines. The idea that government should be liable for the costs of shutting down businesses is embraced by 67% of Republicans, 65% of Independents, and 61% of Democrats.

It’s also supported by 71% of private sector workers and 64% of government employees. Retirees aren’t as enthusiastic, but still support the concept by a 49% to 23% margin.

Other recent polling shows that 60% of voters nationwide believe every business that establishes safe social distancing protocols should be allowed to open. These numbers cut strongly against the narrative that voters remain committed to continuing the lockdowns. I take a look at some of the reasons behind this disconnect in my latest column.

Currently, 38% believe it would be appropriate to continue the lockdowns in their own neighborhood and community. Fifty-seven percent (57%) disagree. That total includes 40% who believe it is time to ease the restrictions and 17% who believe it is time to end the lockdowns.

Additionally, 65% are concerned that some public officials are using the pandemic as an excuse to infringe upon the Constitutional rights of individual Americans.

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The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from May 7-9, 2020. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online while 174 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Certain quotas were applied and the overall sample and lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.