depend on welfare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "depend on welfare" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to relying on or being supported by welfare benefits provided by the government. Example: "Some people have no choice but to depend on welfare in order to survive, while others view it as a temporary solution until they can find stable employment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

I don't want to depend on welfare money".

The New York Times

"I always felt sorry for anyone who had to depend on welfare".

The New York Times

But in recent years many farmers have declared bankruptcy, forcing ever more rural blacks to depend on welfare.

The Economist

Most of their families depend on welfare, they often encounter discrimination and they are sometimes hobbled by language difficulties, all as they confront the travails of adolescence.

The New York Times

She said that she would like to work so she would not have to depend on welfare, but that she had never really learned to read.

The New York Times

However, true: the proportion of people who depend on welfare for the majority of their income has increased (although it was also increasing under Bush).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

He described growing up "dirt poor" in a small town in Northern California where joining the military was your sole ticket out; where the people in his family who depended on welfare stayed where they were and the ones who worked their fingers to the bone managed to make a better life for themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Officer Yanez is the son of a Mexican immigrant and depended on welfare at points in his childhood, defense lawyers said.

The New York Times

The daughter of a disabled railroad worker, Dr. Peters and her often homeless family moved nearly a dozen times before she graduated from high school, and as a young single mother in the early 1970's she had depended on welfare.

The New York Times

Another tribe opposing the off-reservation casinos, the 20 members of the Jackson Rancheria of Miwuk Indians, depended on welfare and gathered firewood to make ends meet before gambling, said Rich Hoffman, the casino's chief executive.

The New York Times

Conversely, neither passing a test nor being financially self-sufficient (i.e., not depending on welfare benefits) are prerequisites for Norwegian citizenship (as in Denmark).

Comparative Migration Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about reliance on welfare, consider the audience and choose language that is respectful and avoids stigmatizing individuals or communities. Use "depend on welfare" or related phrases with sensitivity.

Common error

Avoid using judgmental or overly negative language when discussing people who "depend on welfare". Phrases like "leeching off the system" are insensitive and inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depend on welfare" functions as a verb phrase, indicating reliance on a system of government assistance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this structure is grammatically sound and used in credible sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "depend on welfare" is a grammatically correct way to describe reliance on government assistance, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to inform about economic conditions and social safety nets. Although the phrase is valid, consider the audience and aim for sensitive and respectful language. While it appears most frequently in news and media, it can also be appropriate in formal contexts. Be careful to avoid judgmental or stigmatizing language when discussing this topic. The phrase has a neutral register, but usage should be adapted to the specific audience and intention of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rely on public assistance

Replaces "welfare" with a more general term for government aid.

be supported by welfare

Focuses on the aspect of receiving support from welfare programs.

be reliant on government aid

Similar to "rely on public assistance" but uses "government aid" instead of "welfare".

draw on welfare benefits

Emphasizes the action of accessing and using welfare benefits.

receive welfare payments

Highlights the receipt of financial assistance through welfare.

be on the dole

An informal and somewhat outdated term for receiving unemployment benefits or welfare.

subsist on welfare

Emphasizes the idea of barely surviving or managing on welfare.

be a welfare recipient

Identifies someone as someone who receives welfare.

benefit from social programs

A more general term that can include welfare but also other forms of social support.

be dependent on state support

Broadens the scope to any form of aid from the state, encompassing more than just welfare.

FAQs

What does it mean to "depend on welfare"?

To "depend on welfare" means to rely on government-provided financial assistance and social services for basic needs such as housing, food, and healthcare.

What are some less stigmatizing alternatives to "depend on welfare"?

You can use phrases like "rely on public assistance", "receive government aid", or "benefit from social programs" to reduce potential negative connotations.

Is it accurate to say someone is "on welfare" if they receive any form of government assistance?

While "on welfare" is a common expression, it is not always precise. It's more accurate to specify the type of assistance someone receives, such as unemployment benefits, food stamps (SNAP), or housing assistance. The phrase "rely on public assistance" offers a broader, often less stigmatized description.

What factors might cause people to "depend on welfare"?

Various factors can lead individuals and families to "depend on welfare", including job loss, low wages, disability, lack of access to education or job training, and systemic inequalities.