其实中国人所说的吃福利 （welfare），更正确的应为吃 救济 （assistance）

different kind of "welfare"

1.  social security, pension, unemployment insurance, worker's comp, medicare, this is called entitlement.  Right exists under the law (or contract), after you performed your obligation (paying into it). 

2.  school, police, fire, court service, these are government services.  

3.  tax deduction, these are just tax.  

4. assistance: 这个才是真正的救济。