The term “social security” was used to describe any program aimed at helping people with limited financial constraints. The first extensive social security program in the United States was the civil war veteran pensions. At the outset, payments were given to Union veterans who become disabled in battle or to the widows of Union soldiers. Later on the program was then extended to Union veterans who were disabled. In 1894, more than a third of the money spent by the federal government went to military pensions [ref].
