Into the Promised Land: Modelling the Role of Take-Up Agents in Realising Welfare Rights. Issue 2 (24th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holler, Roni; Benish, Avishai
• Is Part Of: Social policy and society. Volume 21:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 157
• Page End: 171
• Publication Date: 2022-04-24
• Subjects: Take-up agents -- welfare rights -- benefits -- Israeli welfare state; Social policy -- Periodicals; 361.6105
• DOI: 10.1017/S1474746420000548
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-7464

Abstract

Abstract : Throughout the years, social policy scholars have advanced a multi-level perspective of non-take-up, viewing it as is a complex process shaped by a broad range of interacting barriers and actors. However, a comparatively small amount of that scholarship has addressed the key role of take-up agents: professionals or semi-professionals who actively help clients realise their welfare rights. Moreover, most of this scant literature has tended to focus on the agents' impact rather than on their role and practices. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with Israeli take-up agents from the public, business, and non-profit sectors, this study seeks to understand better the work of take-up agents in realising their clients' welfare rights. Our findings show that in order to pass their clients through the gateways of welfare, agents use four keys: knowledge, networking, emotions, and power. The meaning of these keys and related practices is discussed.