Abstract
This chapter explores how social assistance schemes define the household and the consequences of these definitions for access to support. It argues that the household means test is not a neutral tool but reflects normative assumptions about care, interdependence, and fairness. These legal definitions shape entitlements, influence financial independence, and reinforce social norms, yet often fail to capture diverse household realities. By showing how legal categories construct social realities, the study underscores their concrete consequences for individuals and households.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Empirical Legal Studies in the Netherlands |
| Subtitle of host publication | Towards a Jurisprudence of Consequences? |
| Editors | Marc Hertogh, Paulien de Winter |
| Publisher | Boom Juridisch |
| Chapter | 8 |
| Pages | 133-148 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978946212204 |
| Publication status | Published - 3-Sept-2025 |
Keywords
- Social assistance
- Household definition
- Means test