Country responses

The spending level and composition of the response varied substantially across countries – but the social assistance response remained modest overall

Social Assistance (other than Utility)

Unemployment Benefits

ALMPs (other than WS) + Tax Rebates

Wage Subsidies (WS)

Utility Subsidies

 Limited preparation affected the effectiveness of the response o Some countries had to establish new, ad hoc institutional structures to manage their overall COVID-19 response o Emergency funding was often channeled to pensioners / formal sector because of greater voice and limitations of social assistance

 Social assistance responses often provided more aid to existing beneficiaries, but limited the expansion to those made poor(er) by the pandemic

 Social Assistance application rules were not always eased, and communication campaigns were limited (in contract with employment programs)