Short answer
Yes, if you are honestly entitled to them under the law. Unemployment pay, child benefit, food assistance, disability support and housing help are rights the system gives to those who qualify. Lying, hiding income or a spouse, or claiming more than you are owed is fraud and haram.
Accepting benefits you qualify for under the rules is permissible; it is not the same as begging. Obtaining them by false statements is haram and the money must be repaid. Those able to work should still prefer to earn, since self-reliance is praised and depending on others without need is disliked.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Governments set up benefits so that people in need are not left without food, shelter or care. When you meet the conditions, you are accepting what the law offers you, like using a public hospital or school. There is nothing shameful in it, and many converts, students, single parents and disabled people rely on such help.
Where it becomes haram:
- Not declaring work, cash jobs or savings that would reduce your claim.
- Hiding a marriage, often an Islamic-only nikah, to claim as a single parent.
- Claiming for children, rent or illness that do not exist or have ended.
- Carrying on a claim after your circumstances change.
All of these are lying and taking public money without right. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever cheats us is not one of us." If you have overclaimed, repay it, even if no one has asked.
Encouragement to stand on your own feet: the Prophet ﷺ said that for one of you to take a rope, bring firewood on his back and sell it is better than asking people. If you can work, work. If you cannot, take what you are entitled to with a clear conscience, and give thanks.
Interest-bearing student loans and benefit advances that charge interest are a separate issue: see Are student loans haram? On asking people for money, see Is it haram to ask for money? The four schools agree on these principles.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:188
وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَٰطِلِ وَتُدْلُوا۟ بِهَآ إِلَى ٱلْحُكَّامِ لِتَأْكُلُوا۟ فَرِيقًۭا مِّنْ أَمْوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١٨٨﴾
And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].
Benefits gained by lying are wealth taken unjustly.
Quran, Surah Adh-Dhaariyat 51:19
وَفِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ حَقٌّۭ لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلْمَحْرُومِ ﴿١٩﴾
And from their properties was [given] the right of the [needy] petitioner and the deprived.
People in need have a real right in society's wealth.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1471
Sahih... لأن يأخذ أحدكم حبله فيأتي بحزمة الحطب على ظهره فيبيعها ...
"For one of you to take his rope, bring a bundle of firewood on his back and sell it."
Earning your own living is better when you are able.
Sahih Muslim 101
Sahih... ومن غشنا فليس منا ...
"Whoever cheats us is not one of us."
Benefit fraud is cheating.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Zakat, on who may accept charity and public funds. Those in need may take from public funds; the able should earn.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.