n [ U ]
government payments to help people who are unemployed, poor or old, or who cannot work because they are ill or injured. In the US, these payments are made by the government’s Social Security Administration , established in 1935 as part of the government’s New Deal (1). Money for the payments (called welfare ) is provided by taxes on employers and workers. In Britain, payments (called benefits ) are made by the Department for Work and Pensions , with money from National Insurance and other taxes. Payments in Britain include the Jobseeker’s Allowance , income support , statutory sick pay and housing benefit .
See also Beveridge Report , Medicare , National Health Service , welfare state .