benefits street is a documentary series on the british television channel channel 4. it started on 6 january 2014. five episodes will be shown. it is about some of the people who live on james turner street in birmingham. 90% of the people on the street claim benefits. 4.3 million people watched the first episode. it was channel 4's most-watched shown in more than a year. it shows some people who claim benefits (claimants) doing crimes.