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A provision in a law (or a program) that requires payments to any person or unit of government meeting the eligibility criteria established by the law. An entitlement is a binding obligation of the issuing governmental unit, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. Social Security and veterans' compensation and pensions are examples of Federal entitlement programs. Within the family context, something children believe they have a right to, by operation of birth.

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