It physically hurts to know that the US system is essentially identical to any other. It really offers a 1-2 punch to anyone unlucky enough to become disabled. I sincerely appreciate you writing this out, it was eye-opening.
I think the main difference you’ll generally see is how much money is given (800 EUR after taxes and utility bills comes out to about 1600 EUR gross depending on one’s living situation), and how much certain things are subsidized. At least in the unemployment part of the process. Let’s take dental health as an example: this isn’t covered by public healthcare, so you get to pay in full for any visits to a dentist.
However, for people on unemployment benefits this is subsidized either fully or almost fully. There’s a certain threshold at which you may have to request to have it subsidized, but often the dentist will just send the bill straight to the government. This is of course fucked up in its own right when you consider that if you have a job, no matter how little it pays, the government will want nothing to do with you there. A lot of people with jobs can’t afford dental work and get no support whatsoever from the government for it.
As well, once you’ve reached the point of early retirement or permanent disability, should you choose to take on a part time job it will cut into your benefits if you earn above a certain threshold from the job. However, unlike in the US, doing so gradually cuts into your benefits rather than just shutting it off. And again, all the restrictions from unemployment are gone here. You’re free to save as much as you like, travel, whatever.
Ah, I misunderstood the unemployment benefits portion! That’s entirely my mistake. In that case, your system is far and away more reasonable and I apologize. It still physically hurts that disability is horrifically broken in the US but at least it isn’t universal. I hope we’ll eventually achieve something approaching acceptable treatment.
It physically hurts to know that the US system is essentially identical to any other. It really offers a 1-2 punch to anyone unlucky enough to become disabled. I sincerely appreciate you writing this out, it was eye-opening.
I think the main difference you’ll generally see is how much money is given (800 EUR after taxes and utility bills comes out to about 1600 EUR gross depending on one’s living situation), and how much certain things are subsidized. At least in the unemployment part of the process. Let’s take dental health as an example: this isn’t covered by public healthcare, so you get to pay in full for any visits to a dentist.
However, for people on unemployment benefits this is subsidized either fully or almost fully. There’s a certain threshold at which you may have to request to have it subsidized, but often the dentist will just send the bill straight to the government. This is of course fucked up in its own right when you consider that if you have a job, no matter how little it pays, the government will want nothing to do with you there. A lot of people with jobs can’t afford dental work and get no support whatsoever from the government for it.
As well, once you’ve reached the point of early retirement or permanent disability, should you choose to take on a part time job it will cut into your benefits if you earn above a certain threshold from the job. However, unlike in the US, doing so gradually cuts into your benefits rather than just shutting it off. And again, all the restrictions from unemployment are gone here. You’re free to save as much as you like, travel, whatever.
Ah, I misunderstood the unemployment benefits portion! That’s entirely my mistake. In that case, your system is far and away more reasonable and I apologize. It still physically hurts that disability is horrifically broken in the US but at least it isn’t universal. I hope we’ll eventually achieve something approaching acceptable treatment.