Maybe it's me, but given the amounts that even a generous social welfare state pays out, if you want anything nice, you're obliged to work and get a high paying job.

FWIW, ironically given how social welfare in the US works, if you're a single woman, the easiest way to get help is to have a kid without a husband. If you're a single male, you better hope your social network is around to bail you out until you can attempt to apply for disability.