While I totally understand exactly what you are saying, there are actually still people who are ashamed of the fact they need the help.
I know people that do abuse the system, however I also know people that hate the fact that they feel like they are mooching but really do need the help. Unfortunately it is the first group that is making it even worse for the second.
Where are family and friends to help them. It seems that ever since government had taken over the compassion business, that people of abdicated their responsibilities to family and relatives.