Today poverty in rural America remains pervasive and persistent. A decade ago, 14 million rural Americans were classified as "officially" poor. In 1973, nearly 9.2 million were classified poor. The decline in rural poverty over the years has been minimal. This paper briefly documents the poverty statistics according to the living standards used by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The following welfare programs are briefly discussed to indicate the nature of their deficiencies, particularly as they relate to rural people: (1) Social Security, (2) Aid to Dependent Children, (3) Medicaid, (4) food and nutrition programs, and (5) general assistance. A discussion is presented on the coordination of health, legal, educational, and employment services which would eliminate the necessity for different distribution centers and the overlap in outreach and administration. Innovations, changes, and improvements which would "greatly" improve programs for all who are temporarily or permanently in need of assistance are outlined for those who: (1) work, (2) can and want to work, (3) are temporarily unemployed and seeking work, and (4) cannot work. The negative income tax alternative is discussed in the appendix. (NQ)