Sufficient resources and assistance

Persons residing in the European Union (EU) should have access to sufficient resources and assistance to live in a manner compatible with human dignity. This Recommendation defines the common principles for implementing this right in all the Member States in order to progressively cover all instances of exclusion.

ACT

Council Recommendation 92/441/EEC of 24 June 1992 on common criteria concerning sufficient resources and social assistance in social protection systems [Published in the Official Journal L 245 of 26.8.1992].

SUMMARY

The Member States of the European Union (EU) must recognise the basic right of persons to sufficient resources and social assistance to live in a manner compatible with human dignity.

This right should be implemented under the framework of the Member States’ strategic national policies on combating social exclusion. It concerns all individuals resident in the territory of the EU who do not have access to sufficient resources individually or within the household in which they live.

The level of sufficient resources should be set according to the specific situation of each person, specifically the size of their household, their specific needs and the cost of living in the Member State concerned.

Access by applicants to this right cannot be subject to time-limits, provided that the eligibility conditions continue to be met. However, Member States may create limits concerning students, persons in full-time employment and persons with the capacity to carry out a vocational activity.

Implementation of this right must be ensured within the frameworks of social security schemes. In addition, Member States must in particular:

• simplify administrative procedures and legal appeals;
• provide measures of social support;
• inform the most vulnerable people of their rights;
• take measures to encourage employment;
• adapt taxation, social security rules and the civil obligations of persons.

RELATED ACTS

Report of 25 January 1999 from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation of the recommendation 92/441/EEC of 24 June 1992 on common criteria concerning sufficient resources and social assistance in social protection systems [COM(98) 774 final - Not published in the Official Journal]. In order to continue to improve the situation of minimum income beneficiaries, the Commission proposes to:

• optimise social protection for better coverage of basic needs;
• greater consistency between the minimum social benefits and social benefits, in particular the maintenance of minimum income by topping up income from work;
• improve access to employment and training;
• improve the social and economic integration of the beneficiaries of minimum income.

Last updated: 27.10.2011