Evaluation of the Social Benefits System in the View of Poverty in an Underprivileged Area of Hungary

This study evaluates the social benefits system in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, Hungary, focusing on its effectiveness in addressing poverty. The research highlights the ongoing debate regarding the optimal extent and conditions of social benefits, particularly in areas with high poverty rates. Utilizing interviews with local municipal representatives, the study investigates how perceptions of the social benefits system are influenced by poverty rates and the rural-urban poverty gap. Findings reveal no significant differences in evaluations between rural and urban municipalities in most of the examined aspects, although higher poverty rates correlate with perceptions of welfare dependency and cost reduction. The research underscores the complexity of social support systems and their limited capacity to alleviate poverty, suggesting that while they provide necessary assistance, they often fail to address the root causes of impoverishment.