How much money is spent on social welfare programs?
or What percent of our budget do these payments take up?

Hi benbro21,

Here you go (click on the link for more details, 2005 is near the
bottom of the page).

OUTLAYS FOR PAYMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS BY CATEGORY AND MAJOR PROGRAM: 1940-2009
2005 (in millions of dollars):
Social security and railroad retirement................$  518,036 
Federal employees retirement and insurance.............$  127,060
Unemployment assistance................................$   41,082
Medical care...........................................$  558,966
Assistance to students.................................$   23,139
Housing assistance.....................................$   31,131
Food and nutrition assistance..........................$   48,359
Public assistance and related programs.................$  120,692 
All other payments for individuals.....................$    5,772 
Total, payments for individuals........................$1,474,237
http://frwebgate3.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=78938620252+0+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve

I hope is what you are looking for. If you have any questions, please
post a clarification request and wait for me to respond before
closing/rating my answer.

Thank you,
hummer

Search Strategy: I searched the Government Printing Office (GPO) Access website.