In 2024, the federal government spent $1,078.6 billion on mandatory means-tested welfare programs. This amounted to 15.9% of all federal outlays, $3,164 for every person in the nation, $8,158 for every household in the nation, $42,193 for every household that reports cash income below 150% of the federal poverty line, and 4.1% of the U.S. gross domestic product. The rest is comprised of spending on other social programs (44%), general government & debt service (18%), national defense & veterans’ benefits (17%), economic affairs (3%), and public order & safety (1%).