Swiss support services help households facing rising costs

As the cost of food, housing, fuel and health insurance rises, more people in Switzerland are struggling to make ends meet. SRF reports that financial pressure is increasing, particularly for families, according to Niels Jost of Caritas Switzerland.

Caritas says lower-income households are being squeezed by higher living costs, health insurance premiums and rents, while wages stagnate and expenses rise. It also points to inadequate social assistance, limited support for families, tax cuts that ease the burden on wealthier people while placing more pressure on poorer households, and an increase in value-added tax. Higher fuel prices are adding to the strain, especially for commuters and shift workers who rely on a car.

Families with several children and single parents are particularly at risk, Caritas says. High childcare costs and the challenge of combining work and family life add to their difficulties. People in low-paid work, those without formal training and people with a migration background also face a higher risk of poverty.

“One in six people in Switzerland is at risk of poverty or lives in poverty,” says Emanuela Chiapparini, a poverty researcher at Bern University of Applied Sciences. Poverty, she says, can affect anyone.

Experts stress that poverty is not a personal failure. Its causes are often shaped by people’s life circumstances, as well as social, economic and policy factors. At the same time, people facing financial hardship may be able to access support, Chiapparini says. Shame and experiences of exclusion can stop them from seeking help, and some withdraw from social contact instead.

Friends and acquaintances can be a first source of support. Local community associations, internet cafes and discussion groups such as Femmes-Tische can also help people make connections and learn about available services. Children and young people may be especially likely to remain unseen, Chiapparini says.

Caritas advises people who are running short of money to seek information and advice early, particularly if they have debts. Some people are already cutting back on food, leisure activities or healthcare; Jost says the organisation hears from people who have skipped a doctor’s appointment because of the cost. Free, non-binding advice may be available through municipal social services, charities or church congregations, in person or online.

People struggling to afford groceries can ask about local food distributions, including Tischlein deck dich. The Kultur-Legi offers a way to take part in cultural life, with more than 4,300 offers across Switzerland. Other listed support options include Caritas, the Salvation Army, Winterhilfe, Surprise, Pro Juventute for families and young people, and “mit mir” sponsorships for children.

Caritas estimates that between 25 and 40 per cent of people eligible for social assistance do not claim it.