HSS, unemployment insurance really isn’t in the same category as WIC, Medicaid, food stamps, or other gov’t aid programs. To qualify for unemployment insurance, one must work for a certain minimum amount of time & lose one’s job (without being fired for cause). Unemployment insurance is funded by contributions from the employer & the employee. It is meant to replace part of one’s lost income while he looks for work. Unlike the other gov’t programs mentioned there is no means test. Anyone, regardless of assets or household income, can qualify for unemployment insurance as long as he is looking for a job & meets certain other criteria.
Would you say that someone who has assets or whose spouse is working shouldn’t cash his social security check, since other people may need it more?