The noun welfare has 3 senses (first 2 from tagged texts)
1. (3) social welfare, welfare -- (governmental provision of economic assistance to persons in need)
2. (1) benefit, welfare -- (something that aids or promotes well-being; "for the common good")
3. wellbeing, well-being, welfare, upbeat, eudaemonia, eudaimonia -- (a contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous; "the town was finally on the upbeat after our recent troubles")