Happy-go-lucky benefit of a welfare state? (8)
I believe the answer is:
carefree
'happy-go-lucky' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'benefit of a welfare state?' is the wordplay.
'benefit of a welfare' becomes 'care' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'state?' becomes 'free' (free state is a kind of state).
'care'+'free'='CAREFREE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for carefree that I've seen before include "not concerned?" , "Happy and blithe - no worries" , "Without a worry in the world" , "Free of trouble and worry" , "Without the burden of responsibility" .)