Yes, government interventions to alleviate poverty are sustainable over a long period of time. This is evident by long standing programs in the U.S. such as Food Stamps, Medicaid ,Social Security and Unemployment insurance. These programs have not eliminated poverty, but they have definitely helped reduce it. Other countries, such as Canada and Western European countries, also have had similar long sustained programs. This programs usually considered to be more generous than the U.S. programs as well.