Social Rights Access Lab

The Social Rights Access Lab is a research and applied expertise center dedicated to enhancing access to social rights in Israel.

The Lab supports the development of theory, knowledge, and practical tools to design and promote policies aimed at reducing administrative burdens and increasing the take-up of rights, as a means to reduce inequalities and foster social mobility.

Located at the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Lab operates under joint leadership with JDC-Ashalim, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Justice. Its location within the Hebrew University ensures rigorous academic standards, while its partnerships with field organizations secure applied work closely connected to practice.

The Lab is designed to serve as a research and development hub for policymakers, research bodies, and grassroots organizations working on social rights.

Non-Take-Up of Rights

What is Non-Take-Up of Rights?

Non-take-up of rights refers to situations in which individuals
entitled to social benefits or services in law do not actually
receive them. In Israel, as in other welfare states, research
shows that non-take-up occurs across the population, but its
prevalence is significantly higher among disadvantaged
groups.

Social Implications

Non-take-up deepens poverty, widens social gaps, reduces
mobility and equality, and can lead to the erosion of public
trust in welfare systems and the state.

Barriers to Social Rights Take-Up

Knowledge and Awareness Barriers

These arise from a lack of accessible and clear information about the very existence of rights, the eligibility criteria, and the process required to claim them.

Bureaucratic Barriers

These barriers stem from the complexity of administrative processes, difficulties in completing forms and obtaining required documents, inefficient communication with state authorities.

Psychological and Cultural Barriers

These barriers arise from the social stigma associated with receiving benefits, feelings of shame and humiliation, fear of dealing with bureaucratic systems.

Our Mission

The Lab seeks to enhance access to social rights and promote social mobility through the creation, development, and dissemination of innovative, applied research knowledge in the field of social rights take-up.

Our Goals

Develop innovative and applied knowledge in the field of social rights take-up, to support government burden reducing and rights enhancing policies.
Developing indicators for monitoring barriers and administrative burdens in the take-up of social rights, particularly among marginalized populations.
Promoting professional standards and practices in the field of take-up.
Disseminating research and knowledge among researchers, policymakers, grassroots organizations, and the wider public.
Building a knowledge community of professionals engaged in take-up practice.
Cultivating a community of researchers and students specializing in the field of social rights take-up.

Our Guiding Principles

Innovation

The Lab’s research draws on cutting-edge theoretical and applied knowledge in the field of social rights take-up, with a special emphasis on the development and use of digital and AI-based tools to promote access to rights.

Applicability

Research at the Lab is applied and field-oriented. Research questions are defined according to needs, in coordination with field actors, and Lab papers are written to be accessible and useful for policymakers and practitioners.

Expertise

The Lab is a center of expertise that applies advanced academic theories and research methods to develop evidence-based practices for rights take-up and for reducing barriers to accessibility. Its continuous work in the field generates in-depth knowledge and specialization.

Systemic View and Synergy

The Lab’s research, training, and policy activities are developed to both inform the field and be informed by it, creating mutual learning and development.

“Open Lab”

The Lab follows an “open lab” approach, proactively sharing its knowledge with decision-makers, researchers, students, grassroots organizations, practitioners, and the wider public.

Partnership

The Lab operates based on partnership-based approach, collaborating with government ministries, grassroots organizations across sectors, and academic research institutions in Israel and worldwide.

How Can We Help You?

Decision-Makers
Support in designing data-driven policies and developing tools to reduce barriers and improve rights accessibility.

Grassroots Organizations Across Sectors
Guidance, training, and professional tools to advance rights take-up, with emphasis on marginalized populations.

Researchers
Collaboration, reseach support, and opportunities for applied research with social impact.

Students
Academic and practical training to become part of the next generation of experts in social rights take-up advocacy.

What Have We Done So Far?

Held a launch conference with 250 representatives from all sectors, focused on innovation in social rights take-up.
Organized roundtables for practitioners and academics to develop a take-up practice model.
Began the development of the Social Rights Take-Up Barometer.
Taught four courses in rights take-up practice at the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare at the Hebrew University, toward establishing a teaching and training model.
Launched the “Take-Up Year” the professional training unit in social work studies at the Hebrew University; .All students are required to integrate social rights take-up into their field placement.
Started writing policy papers on issues such as the practice of rights take-up agents in routine and emergency, ethics, and the use of AI.
Provided consultation to government and civil society organizations on rights take-up.
Presented the Lab at conferences and seminars in Israel and abroad.