Syag > it has been argued repeatedly that no halachik authority deems benefits as tzedaka.
I am asking for sources – how do they see this issue. Maybe I missed them before.
I agree it is a complicated issue – classical sources I saw discuss benevolence of a non-Jew, not of non-Jewish society establishing a social support system and then having a rule-based approach that is same for Jews as for other people, without requiring us to convert …
So, there might be a lot of different gradations here, whether it is for strict halakha or for being machmir. I heard a number of stories, like of a Rav who had a business and who was lauded by an IRS auditor for documenting every little nekuda, and, opposite like reported here that it is possible to “get around” by hiding some income. Logically continuing this, then hiding income makes someone eligible for income-based programs, etc – this might lead to way further into dirt that I imagined. I only discussed an issue of people capable of working, choosing not to, and then using benefits.
Anyway, it would be good to hear what the halachic opinions are out there. I would not rely on “people do it, this must be approved”. We see people making questionable decisions without even realizing that they need to ask shailos. And when people ask, there should be teshuvos somewhere out there.