Social Welfare Terms

noun a portion or share of something, especially money or food distributed to those in need

verb to distribute in small portions or shares

• The government provides financial assistance to those in need through the dole.
• I heard she's been living off the dole for a while now.
• He's always trying to find ways to dodge the dole and make some quick cash.
• She felt like she was constantly on the dole of other people's generosity.

noun a person who pretends to be ill or incapacitated in order to avoid work or duty

• The doctor suspected the patient of being a malingerer due to inconsistent symptoms.
• I think he's just a malingerer trying to get out of work.
• Don't believe her excuses, she's just a malingerer.
• His habit of procrastination made him a malingerer of his own success.

noun extreme poverty; destitution

• The family fell into penury after the main breadwinner lost their job.
• They were living in penury before they hit the jackpot in the lottery.
• I'm so broke, I'm practically in penury.
• His soul was in a state of penury, lacking the richness of experience and emotion.

noun a government program that provides financial aid to individuals or families in need

• Many families rely on public assistance to meet their basic needs.
• Some people get help from the government when they need it.
• People sometimes get a handout from the state when they're in a tough spot.
• Public assistance acts as a safety net for those facing financial hardship.