- Report
- Bolland Manon, Boucq Elise, Corselis Arne, Derboven Johannes, Goedeme Tim, Janssens Julie, Lefevere Eva, Linchet Stephanie, Lopez Novella Maritza, Nisen Laurent, Perelman Sergio, Reynaert Jean-François, Thiry Benjamin, Van den Bosch Karel, Van Gestel Raf, Van Mechelen Natascha, Vandervelden Martine, Verbist Gerlinde, Vergauwen Jorik, Verschueren Ilse
- BRAIN-be (Belgian Research Action through Interdisciplinary Networks)
- Belgium
Abstract
Context: This issue of non-take up (NTU) of social rights has been a longstanding concern amongst scholars and policy makers, as it undermines the effectiveness of social policies. In the case of Belgium, only a handful of large-scale studies are available which study non-take-up from a quantitative perspective.Objectives: The TAKE project, which ran from December 2015 until September 2022, has been set up to study the size of non-take-up of four income or means-tested social benefits, as well as employment subsidies, to describe the characteristics of those not taking up their social rights, to quantitatively investigate the determinants of non-take-up, and to assess the potential impact of several solutions.
Data and methods: TAKE has developed its own survey, which is based on a random sample of lowincome households, and which combines data from administrative records and face-to-face interviews. TAKE makes ample use of microsimulation techniques. In addition, TAKE has carried out in-depth interviews, conducted focus groups, analysed administrative data and set up a large-scale field experiment.
Conclusions: Non-take-up of social rights is still widespread, and continues to undermine the povertyreducing impact of social policies. Efforts for automating take-up have proven to be an effective strategy for reducing non-take-up, a strategy that should be strengthened. In addition, there is a high need for improving the monitoring of non-take-up in Belgium.