ACTA SZEKSZARDIENSIUM - Pécsi Tudományegyetem Illyés Gyula ...

poverty certificate, both an advantage and disadvantage
poverty certificate, both an advantage and
disadvantage
István Varga
Abstract
Before 1945 the poverty certificate with its sad memory was in use in Hungary. As for its
functionality, it provided tax- and fee exemption in case of court- and official proceedings
for those with low income and property. As for its methodology, in order to qualify for this
poverty certificate, one had to obtain a certificate issued by the municipal administration.
The official authority, (called administrator today), took a “quasi site-study” in which they
tried to investigate the living conditions of the applicant. Therefore, on one hand it was
advantageous for those affected since they could save money and could get access to services
which might have been unavailable for them. on the other hand it was disadvantageous since
it was a stigma on the affected people; thus marking them invaluable. To understand its deep
effect: the stigmatizing meaning of the poverty certificate has survived and does still exist in
the Hungarian language. 1
Key words are: poverty certificate, certificate, advantage, disadvantage, living conditions
Introduction
Social policy has a specific interpretation which equals with poverty policy. This divides
the needy to worthy and unworthy poor, and for deciding which category someone
belongs to requires individual judgement. 2 An “outstanding” tool for this is means test or
life circumstance evaluation.
During the development of social work, in the era of care for the poor it was a
common practice that the living conditions and moral behaviour of applicants were
carefully considered in order to decide whether they are worthy or unworthy for
receiving allowances.
For this, effective administration framework had to be developed. In 1869 the
Charity Organisation Society was founded in London. COS strived to provide selective
support by examining the circumstances of the applicants, while exercising control over
the recipients. Later, this effort was permanently present in the aid system and is still
1 Lector: Dr. Gábor Juhász DSc.
2 Ferge 1991. 77., 1987. 22-23.
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