During the Great Depression, the role of the federal government changed tremendously. Before the Depression hit, the federal government did little or nothing to help people financially. This was not seen as something the government ought to do. With the Depression came a change in this perception. President Roosevelt's New Deal made government responsible for helping people in many ways. These ways ranged from guaranteeing that they would not lose money they had deposited in banks (FDIC) to ensuring that they would have money to live on after they retired (Social Security). In general, the New Deal brought on a new role for government, one in which the government did a great deal more to help individuals financially.