In the last few days, a strong public debate has emerged about how much social assistance unemployed parents with multiple children can receive in Slovenia.

We recently published an article on the raditi.eu portal showing that a family with five children can receive around 3,360 euros per month, but it turned out that these amounts are not accurate for the actual conditions for granting social assistance. According to new data published by the Slovenian Ministry of Labour, the figures differ from those that had been circulating in recent days on portals and social media, and the group of families most affected is precisely the one that was talked about the most.

As reported by the portal Slovenske novice, the initial calculations presented to the public by one member of parliament were based on incorrect assumptions. Specifically, amounts were used that do not belong to the first income bracket, into which families with no income at all are automatically classified. In addition, those calculations presented extraordinary cash assistance as if it were paid every month, which is not correct because it is decided individually by the social work centre and only in situations where there is a genuine need. Also, part of the child allowance is considered an income element when determining basic social assistance, which the initial calculation did not take into account.

According to the Ministry’s corrected figures, a family with two unemployed parents, no assets, and five children can receive around 2,799 euros per month, not 3,360 euros as previously shown. For comparison, a family with one child can receive around 1,273 euros, while a family with three children can receive around 2,053 euros per month. The same model also shows the amount of assistance for single-parent families, but there are strict conditions there as well. Single-parent family status cannot be obtained merely by declaration; it must be proven that the other parent is not paying the legally required maintenance. If this is not proven, the amount for single-parent status does not apply, and unpaid child support is counted as income.

It is important to emphasize that these benefits are not taxed as income, but when determining the amount of assistance, every other form of income and every type of asset is taken into account. This means that assistance in the full amount can be granted only to a family that has no officially recorded income or savings, has no vehicle above the prescribed value threshold, has no real estate except necessary living space, and is not receiving other cash benefits such as unemployment benefit. As soon as any income exists, the benefit is automatically reduced.

In conclusion, the social support system in Slovenia remains one of the most broadly structured in the European Union, but it is clear that the published figure of 3,360 euros per month for a family with five children was not realistic for the typical conditions under which these benefits are granted. The corrected calculation shows more realism, but it still raises the question of balance between protecting the most vulnerable and motivation to work, which is a topic that will most certainly continue to be debated in the months to come.