People who are living in poverty are living below the statutory minimum level of subsistence, as defined by political decision-makers. This is sometimes also known as living ‘below the social minimum’. The social minimum consists of social security benefits or (for older people) the state pension (AOW). The threshold depends on a person’s living situation (single, single parent, living with a partner) and age. For households that include children under the age of 18, the amount is supplemented by child benefit and the ‘child-related budget’ (income-dependent child benefit). Many are also entitled to housing benefit and healthcare benefit.
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