The availability and access of the data is very important aspect of the identification problem. In general the use of existing data is preferred above an independent survey because of advantages in both time and budget. If surveys or administrative data-files with relevant information for the identification are available, the (first) identification can be more precise. With regard tot the use of data four kinds of data sources can be distinguished
1. An independent survey in the Dutch population
2. Secondary analysis of available survey data
3. Comparison between administrative databases at aggregated level
4. Using administrative databases at an individual level

Of course a combination of the possibilities mentioned above is also possible and often even inevitable if one want to examine all three of the aspects of non-take up.

A large independent survey in the Dutch population will in theory offer the most valuable information. In such a survey detailed information about the respondents social and financial position and the use of the different kinds of social benefits could be gathered to determine if there is a case of (partially/temporarily) non-take up. Such a survey can also provide information about the reasons of non-take up or exit. In the ideal situation the respondents in the survey will be followed for a number of years, so giving insight in the effect of specific policy changes or the effect of changes in the personal situation of the respondent on the use of social benefits.

Another possibility getting information about the non-take up of social benefits is the use of available survey data. The use of survey already existing data is a relatively simple and cheap manner identify research entities.

A third possibility getting information about the non-take up is the use of administrative databases or a combination form administrative and survey data. Central en decentral databases of governmental organisations can provide information about the use of social benefits of on the population level. Possibly other administrative databases or surveys can give an indication which part of the population, once again on an aggregated level, are entitled to the use of some social benefits. Comparing the two may give a rough indication of non-take-up.

A fourth possibility involves the use of administrative databases at an individual level. The problem with administrative databases is that usually only persons that use social benefits are registered and the data therefore does not provide any information about non-take up. However a administrative database of users of one type of social benefit possibly can be used to draw a sample of possible non-users of a related kind of social benefit. Instead of using administrative databases only for drawing a sample or to compare figures at an aggregated level, another possibility is to link together administrative databases that on one hand give information of the use of benefits and on the other hand provide information of the eligibility of the person. Inhabitants of the Netherlands/Europe are registered in a number of rapidly growing number of (administrative) databases. You can think for example of municipal population registers, registration of compulsory school attendance, recordings of benefit agencies, recordings of the Tax and Customs Administration and so on. Since the arrival of the computer, these databases are not only registered but also more and more stored in an automated system. In the Netherlands for example all municipalities are since 1994 legally obliged to conduct an automated administration with personal data of the population. The automated recordings, initially set up for administrative reasons, makes that the data (at least in theory) is more accessibly and makes it available for other aims then for what it was originally meant for. In some cases it can be used for example for research. If we focus on the use of administrative data to get information about non-take-up, the information in one data file will in most cases not be enough to be able to draw conclusions about the use and non-use of certain benefits. To be able to derive relevant information on non-take-up it will be almost always necessarily to link several sources of information.

In the Netherlands all of the above mentioned methods/datasources have been used to measure non take up.


National Report    Back to top