People keep saying this, but I'm yet to see any proper evidence of extensive "abuse".
I guess it depends on which circles you move in.
Many years ago, when my children were babies, I used to take them to the local Playgroup. Most of the mothers there were on benefits.
There was the couple who were on the dole. She refused to work as she had to look after the children. He refused to work because he was a bankrupt, and refused to have 'his' money docked if he earnt a certain amount.
There was another couple, again on the dole. She didn't want to work, again due to children, and he just plain refused to work. He used to look at the phone book and pick random businesses that he 'applied' to for a job when filling in his dole form.
There were endless discussions from those on welfare, as to which charities to approach, and how much you could get from them. As I recall, some of the Mum's had them on a rotating roster, and would go to a different one each week/fortnight, as well as making sure they got their entitlements for discounted phone & electricity, and applying for hampers/toys for Christmas.
Then, a former neighbour of mine used to come knocking (well, she didn't, she sent her son to do it for her) for all manner of handouts. Small stuff, but it was continual. Oh, Mum's run out of XX can she borrow some? That was annoying, but not too bad.
She really took the cake one day, when she asked me for a lift to an appointment she was late for. Stupid me said OK & she took me to a charity place, had me wait for her, then came out, happy as Larry with a big bag of groceries. She showed me what she had & said "Do you want some? There's plenty inside, you don't have to see anyone, just help yourself".
Then on the way back home she was telling me all about this card that she had. It was like a credit card, but apparently it was loaded with $$ to be spent at the supermarket, and she regularly got it topped up. This was the appointment she so desperately needed to get to.
Apparently, according to her, you need no evidence that you are in hardship, you just tell them that you are having troubles making ends meet - rent is late, car needs fixing, etc - and they will give you some 'help', which she recommended that I do the same, because, you know 'everyone does it'.
Hmmm.....no, they don't!
Anyway, we no longer see anyone from the Playgroup. That ended when the kids went to school, and since we moved a long time ago now, we thankfully don't see that neighbour. And guess what? We don't see first hand, anyone rorting the system anymore, but we know they are out there.