The political and personal dimensions of (non) take-up of monetary social benefits: case of Slovenia

In 2013 European Commission launched Social Investment Package (SIP), non-binding policy framework seeking to encourage Member States to enhance people’s capacities and support their participation in society and the labour... [ view full abstract ]

In 2013 European Commission launched Social Investment Package (SIP), non-binding policy framework seeking to encourage Member States to enhance people’s capacities and support their participation in society and the labour market. One of measures is to invest more in the proper design, implementation and assessment of social policies, through compensatory or preventative actions, such as improving the take-up of monetary benefits for vulnerable groups. It seems that this otherwise important SIP measure is not taken seriously by some member states, including Slovenia.
In 2012 Slovenia introduced important policy measure influencing take-up levels of beneficiaries, two new acts, significantly changing the landscape of social benefits and rate of take-ups of few benefits such as: child allowance, financial social assistance, income support for pensioners and people who are long-term unable to work for health or other reasons and state scholarship. Research presented will:
1. Show some significant trends regarding take-up and non-take-up in Slovenia.
2. Identify specific groups or individuals who are at-risk of poverty or social exclusion where non-take up pattern appears, and reflect on political, cultural and economic reasons behind non-take up.
3. Suggest interventions to increase the level of take-up among individuals and groups who are at-risk of poverty and/or social exclusion, which will follow SIB measures.