Depends on where you live. Me, I'm in MA. There are some mighty tough restrictions on what used to be called "welfare".
First of all, there's a five-year lifetime limit. After you use it up, you're out. Done. No more.
Second, "welfare" is only a couple hundred dollars a month, tops... not usually enough to cover rent, never mind food, fuel, electricity, etc. And you can ONLY get it if you have dependent children and practically zero assets. If you're a couple without kids, or single and truly down on their luck, it's "No check for you!"
Third, there are food stamp programs, but you're automatically enrolled in job search and training programs. Good luck with that and a shitty economy!
There are people whose unemployment benefits have run out and there are no places to turn except homeless shelters or doubling up with relatives. I'm with Brett that there should be ways that truly deserving people should get the help they need while the system abusers should get the boot.
http://www.massresources.org/massach...rograms_d.html