Josh31, the amount of benefits taken by the working community illegally is a scandal. People taking benefits they are entitled to is NOT. Every penny they get from the government is another penny they don’t get from other sources. It’s a zeh neheneh zeh lo chaser.
Furthermore, the Igros Moshe (YD 2, 116 and YD 4:36 scattered throughout tha anafim- in middle of 11 right now) says that today, it’s perfectly permissible for a guy in learning to take tzedakah, either because the Rambam quoted above no longer applies due to Eis Laasos (Kesef Mishna, Maharshal, others), or because the Rambam was only talking in a case where someone’s depth of learning would be just as great even if they worked. The Eis laasos sevara is that today, it’s nearly impossible to work and still be osek beTorah to the level that is required, and it’s better for them to take tzedakah money than to work and have Torah forgotten in klal yisroel. This is especially true today, when most jobs are 9-5 or more, and with blackberries making people accessible 24/6. It’s impossible to work and focus on learning and become a Talmid chacham. He does say (YD 4, 34 or 35)that someone whose stay in yeshiva will be a detriment to himself or others (his heart is set on working etc) should work.