In order to ensure the benefits are not being abused, I believe a system should be enacted to allow people to use these benefits without becoming dependent and to prevent misuse and abuse of the program.
A predetermined amount of funds per year should be set aside and monitored as a "personal pool". Once those funds are depleted or if the fund is dipped into several times a year the recipient would be required to repay all funds that are used in order to replenish their "fund pool" This could be done once the person is "back on their feet" with a repayment plan at 0% interest.