Can he accept help from the state?

Praise be to Allah.

There is nothing wrong with accepting help from the state, if the conditions set out for help apply to you, such as having a certain number of children, or if you have a low income and so on. What is forbidden is using tricks and lies to get this help. 

The basic principle with regard to accepting this money is the reports narrated by al-Bukhaari (7164) and Muslim (1045) from ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him) used to give us things, and I would say: Give it to one who is more in need of it than me. Then on one occasion he gave me something, and I said: Give it to one who is more in need of it than me, and the Messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him) said: “Take it. Whatever of this wealth comes to you when you are not hoping for it or asking for it, take it, otherwise do not hanker after it.” 

Because it was money that was given voluntarily by the giver, without there being any harm or humiliation connected to taking it, so there was nothing wrong with him accepting it. 

It makes no difference in this regard whether the government is Muslim or non-Muslim, so long as that does not result in compromising one’s religious commitment in any way. 

And Allaah knows best.