From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishstate benefitˌstate ˈbenefit noun [countable, uncountable] British English PEWmoney given by the government in Britain to people who are poor, without a job, ill etcFrom Longman Business Dictionarystate benefitˌstate ˈbenefit [countable usually plural] British English money provided by the government to people who are old and no longer work, or to people who are unemployed, ill, or on a low income etcOne in five pensioners rely entirely on state benefits for their income. → benefit