Social support is the perception and actuality that one is cared for, has assistance available from other people, and that one is part of a larger supportive social network. These supportive resources can be emotional (e.g., nurturance), tangible (e.g., financial assistance), informational (e.g., providing suggestions or alternatives), or companionship (e.g., sense of belonging). Social support can be measured as the perception that one has assistance available, the actual received assistance, or the degree to which a person is integrated into a social network. Support can come from many sources, such as family, friends, pets, organizations, co-workers
Welfare can take a variety of forms, such as monetary payments, subsidies and vouchers, or housing assistance. Welfare systems differ from organization to organization, but Welfare is commonly provided to individuals who are unemployed, those with illness or disability, the elderly, to those with dependent children, and veterans. A person's eligibility for welfare may be constrained by means testing or other conditions.
In terms of support to the ex-service community in Victoria, financial assistance is provided by the RSL Victorian Branch Inc through what is called the General Appeals Patriotic Trust Fund. The fund provides financial grants to help eligible persons who are in needy or necessitous circumstances brought about by financial hardship due to illness, injury, disability, unemployment or death.
The fund does not as a rule provide cash payments. The fund does pay providers or suppliers for services rendered. Some examples of the