1.
The ~ or ~ is money that is given regularly by the government to people who are unemployed. (BRIT; in AM, usually use welfare )
= benefit
N-UNCOUNT: also the N
2.
Someone who is on the ~ is registered as unemployed and receives money from the government. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use on welfare )
It’s not easy living on the ~.
PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR