The new means-tested minimum income in Austria: discretion and regulation in practice

In 2010, the new means-tested minimum income was implemented by all Austrian provinces. The policy sought to replace the provincial standard benefit rates with a national minimum income threshold and for the job centres to serve as an accessible entry point for claimants. Using qualitative and quantitative data from a study conducted between 2010 and 2012, this paper analyses the implementation of the policy in two provinces, Styria and Upper Austria with a focus on discretion. It is shown that discretion has not been curtailed by the introduction of a national framework, by the provincial legislation nor by managerial reforms.