public assistance

Definitions of public assistance

1. noun

   governmental provision of economic assistance to persons in need
   synonyms: social welfare, welfare

   types:

   social insurance

   government provision for unemployed, injured, or aged people; financed by contributions from employers and employees as well as by government revenue

   relief

   aid for the aged or indigent or handicapped

   dole, pogey, pogy

   money received from the state

   national insurance

   social insurance program in Britain; based on contributions from employers and employees; provides payments to unemployed and sick and retired people as well as medical services

   national assistance, social assistance, supplementary benefit

   benefits paid to bring incomes up to minimum levels established by law

   Social Security

   social welfare program in the U.S.; includes old-age and survivors insurance and some unemployment insurance and old-age assistance

   unemployment, unemployment compensation

   payment by a United States agency to unemployed people

   disability insurance

   social insurance for the disabled

   health care

   social insurance for the ill and injured

   type of:

   aid, economic aid, financial aid

   money given or loaned to support someone, especially a student in higher education