[alternatives?]

I would rather have government provide a subsidy of a few dollars per hour of working than handing out benefits to those who won’t work.

[nascarnation]

Actually the fed govt does that already.
It’s called the EIC earned income credit

https://www.irs.gov/Credits-&-Deductions/Individuals/Earned-Income-Tax-Credit/EITC,-Earned-Income-Tax-Credit,-Questions-and-Answers