just my own personal view
it doesn't look good if before even becoming a u.s. permanent resident, let alone a citizen, you're already extending your palm to take help from the state. I don't know if INS has any ability to check on these info or not, but my common sense tells me if they do, then it will have an adverse affect on your application since you're proving you've lost your job and have already become burden to the country.
talk to your lawyer before taking such a step. you don't want a matter of a few hundred dollars a month coming back and biting you in the behind. I'd suggest get a part time job just to keep you going until you find a job in your field.
