Zahavasdad, there are no food stamps or Section 8 in Israel. The basic Kupat Cholim “sal” is free for everyone. If you want more extensive coverage, you pay, and everyone pays the same amount up to 4 kids. Over four kids, the rest are free. Bituach Leumi payments are also the same for everyone. If one is working than it is deducted as a percentage of salary, if not then it is a flat rate.
Englishman: exactly. No family can live off what the government gives unless 1) at least one spouse is working at a nice job or 2) they are being supported by someone else. The myth of chareidim “living off the government” is just that – a myth. That is why in most chareidi families with 6 kids, the father is not in kollel. He may be a maggid shiur, a cheder rebbe, a rosh kollel, etc. – but he is working.