A universal benefit is a government payment provided to all eligible citizens automatically. It is given without checking a person’s income, wealth, or financial needs.

Key features include:

• Payments are based only on simple criteria like age, citizenship, or residency.
• Common examples include state pensions for the elderly and child allowances for families.
• It helps protect dignity and reduces the social stigma often associated with traditional welfare programs.
• Critics argue that these programs can be fiscally inefficient because money is sent to people who may not need financial support.