Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA)

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), established in 1933 during the Great Depression, was a government program designed to provide direct financial aid to help unemployed and impoverished Americans. It aimed to alleviate suffering by offering grants to states for relief efforts, such as cash, food, and clothing, to those in need. FERA also supported work programs to create jobs. Its goal was to stabilize the economy temporarily and assist individuals and families affected by the economic downturn, laying the groundwork for more comprehensive New Deal initiatives.