Benefits are the regular payments made by the state to people who are entitled to them. On benefits, claim benefits, benefit cuts.
In Britain the system has been consolidated into Universal Credit for working-age claimants, alongside separate payments for disability, housing and children. The language around benefits is politically loaded, and benefit claimant and benefits system carry very different connotations depending on who is speaking. Note employee benefits, which are the non-wage extras of a job; and that most benefit spending goes to pensioners and working households rather than the unemployed.
1nounbenefitsRegular payments made by the state to those entitled.
“Many families rely on benefits to pay for food and heating.”
2nounnonThe non-wage extras of a job.
“The salary isn't great, but the benefits include a company car and free health insurance.”
benefits is payments or entitlements.