IntroductionElsa Mescoli and Jean-Michel LafleurChapter 1. Conceptualising immigrants’ access to social assistance and their interaction with street-level bureaucratsRoberta Perna and Hanne VandermeerschenChapter 2. Social assistance bureaucracies and new migrants: the Belgian contextAbraham FranssenChapter 3. Applying mixed-method design in the study of immigrant social protectionElsa Mescoli, Angeliki Konstantinidou, Marije Reidsma and Jérémy MandinPART I. Social assistance for newly arrived immigrantsChapter 4. Explaining variations in forms of service delivery for newcomersElsa Mescoli, Hanne Vandermeerschen, Adriana Costa Santos and Carla MasciaChapter 5. Understanding challenges and pitfalls in the service delivery to newly arrived immigrantsAdriana Costa Santos, Hanne Vandermeerschen and Elsa MescoliChapter 6. Labour market activation and newly arrived immigrantsHanne Vandermeerschen, Adriana Costa Santos and Elsa MescoliConclusion Part IHanne VandermeerschenPART II. Policy in practice: the decision-making processIntroductionElsa MescoliChapter 7. The allocation of social assistance as a hierarchised decision-making processElsa Mescoli and Hanne VandermeerschenChapter 8. The discretion of social workers towards newly arrived migrantsElsa MescoliConclusion Part IIElsa MescoliPART III. Accessing welfare services in Belgium: the perspective of newly arrived immigrantsChapter 9. Pathways of access: analysing newly arrived immigrants’ access to welfare servicesMarije Reidsma and Michelle CrijnsChapter 10. The newcomers’ perception of social assistance provision and its organisationAdriana Costa Santos and Youri Lou VertongenChapter 11. Developing forms of agency: how do newcomers deal with social servicesJérémy MandinConclusion Part IIIJérémy MandinPart IV. ConclusionHanne Vandermeerschen and Peter De CuyperAbout the authorsThe needs of newcomers and the provided social assistance.The topic of social assistance for migrant newcomers often sparks heated public debate and remains a prominent concern on the policy agenda. Society – including the target groups of welfare institutions – has experienced a growing level of diversity. This reality gives rise to new demands and changing profiles of individuals who benefit from welfare services. Welfare institutions, which are responsible for providing social assistance, play a crucial role in granting access to social benefits for newcomers. Moreover, the provision of social assistance can significantly influence the settlement and integration processes of migrants.This book provides empirical insights into the alignment between the needs of newcomers and the service provided to them. It examines the accessibility of social assistance for newcomers from a comprehensive perspective, encompassing aspects such as gaining access (including equal access for all) and service availability, as well as the suitability of these services. By focusing on the Belgian Public Centres for Social Welfare as a case study, the authors explore the policies and practices related to social assistance and labour market activation for newcomers and the factors that influence individuals’ access to their rights.By incorporating the perspectives of all the relevant stakeholders involved, drawing on the insights of social workers and managers as well as the experiences of newcomers themselves, this book offers a unique understanding of the interactions between immigrants, the welfare state, and street-level bureaucracy. It provides valuable insights for enhancing service provision, striving for a more inclusive approach.The topic of social assistance for migrant newcomers often sparks heated public debate and remains a prominent concern on the policy agenda. Society – including the target groups of welfare institutions – has experienced a growing level of diversity. This reality gives rise to new demands and changing profiles of individuals who benefit from welfare services. Welfare institutions, which are responsible for providing social assistance, play a crucial role in granting access to social benefits for newcomers. Moreover, the provision of social assistance can significantly influence the settlement and integration processes of migrants.This book provides empirical insights into the alignment between the needs of newcomers and the service provided to them. It examines the accessibility of social assistance for newcomers from a comprehensive perspective, encompassing aspects such as gaining access (including equal access for all) and service availability, as well as the suitability of these services. By focusing on the Belgian Public Centres for Social Welfare as a case study, the authors explore the policies and practices related to social assistance and labour market activation for newcomers and the factors that influence individuals’ access to their rights.By incorporating the perspectives of all the relevant stakeholders involved, drawing on the insights of social workers and managers as well as the experiences of newcomers themselves, this book offers a unique understanding of the interactions between immigrants, the welfare state, and street-level bureaucracy. It provides valuable insights for enhancing service provision, striving for a more inclusive approach.