Housing benefit provides a cushion against hardship.是什么意思？

Housing benefit provides a cushion against hardship.

住房福利可以减轻人们生活的艰辛。

housing

n. 房屋，供给住宅，掩护，外罩；

例句
The government is taking emergency action to deal with a housing crisis...
政府正采取紧急措施解决住房危机。

benefit

n. 利益，好处，救济金，津贴，义演，义卖，恩惠，恩泽；vt. 有益于，有助于，使受益，得益，受益；

例句
...a project from which considerable benefit will accrue to the community...
使社区持续受益的项目

provides

v. 提供，供给，供应( provide的第三人称单数 )，规定，提供[(+for)]，装备；

例句
Simon's book provides a succinct outline of artificial intelligence and its application to robotics.
西蒙的书简明扼要地概括了人工智能及其在机器人技术方面的应用。

cushion

n. （隔离两个表面的）垫，垫子，起保护（或缓冲）作用的事物，（台球等运动）（台球桌内侧边缘的）弹性衬

例句
The kitten was curled on a cushion on the sofa.
那只小猫在沙发垫子上蜷缩成了一团。

against

prep. 反对，对…不利，紧靠，以防；

例句
His hand brushed against hers; it could have been either accidental or deliberate.
就在有意无意间，他的手轻轻拂过她的手。

hardship

n. 艰难，困苦，艰难情况，造成困苦与苦难的原因；

例句
They've been promised their full July salary minus the hardship payment.
他们已经得到承诺，7月份的工资除去辛劳补助外将全额发放。