Crossword Genius

Act to support those in need? (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

poor law

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'act to support those in need?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'act to support those in need?' is the wordplay.
'act' becomes 'law' (law is a kind of act).
'to support' means one lot of letters go next to another (in a down clue, some letters hold others up).
'those in need?' becomes 'poor' (the poor are needy people).
'law' after 'poor' is 'POOR-LAW'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for poor law that I've seen before include "provision for the needy once" , "Act to help penurious" , "welfare provision" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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