I was in that situation last year (in UK). There was about 2 months we could have claimed for help as I was out of work. I had secured a job though, and we had some (small) savings, so it was going to be messy.
There's lots we could have spent the money on, but we didn't need it - we've had to go without meals before, this wasn't that.
I think one can easily justify taking the money when you don't need it. Possibly the most moral action would have been to take it and help people who couldn't get the help and really needed.
We've had no problem taking charity, still most of the kids clothes are hand-me-downs from other families; and I don't see income support as charity per se, and we take income support of other types not related to being jobless.
The "you've paid in" argument would probably not be on our side either.
Some people think it is charity (it isn't) and they are too proud to take charity. Some people fear they will be less employable if they do because it is a record of a gap in employment.
