Social assistance in the broader sense

Social assistance in the broader sense includes means-tested financial social benefits paid by the cantons to relieve poverty. These benefits are surveyed and described in the inventory of social assistance in the broader sense. They are organised into seven categories:

• Supplementary benefits to OASI/IV
• Old-age and disability support
• Unemployment support
• Housing benefits
• Family support
• Maintenance advances
• Social assistance in the narrow sense

All cantons grant economic social assistance, maintenance advances and supplementary benefits to OASI/IV. However, other benefits are granted differently depending on the canton. When comparing cantons, not only social assistance in the narrow sense (financial social assistance) should be taken into account, but also means-tested benefits that may be awarded prior to other benefits.