Social Assistance

Last update

The  loi du 18 décembre 2009 (law of 18 December 2009) creates a right to social assistance and is aimed at combating poverty and social exclusion and enabling every person to lead a life in keeping with human dignity.

It is the social office (“Office social”) of the municipality of residence that helps people in financial or social hardships who are entitled to social assistance. The social office can also

  • help with access to legal benefits, financial aid and other material assistance;
  • listen to peoples’ issues and offer assistance in case of social problems;
  • provide social, psychological, budgetary, administrative and educational advice
  • offer specific and adapted information on all existing aid services and benefits in Luxembourg;
  • direct people to other specialised services;
  • provide short-, medium- and long-term social support;
  • provide initial intervention in cases of social emergencies;
  • grant material aid.

Food aid

Social grocery shops give people in precarious situations access to high-quality food and everyday items.

There are a dozen social grocery shops throughout the country, run by the Red Cross and ‘Hëllef um Terrain’ asbl. There are also the 3 cent butteks run by ‘Den Cent Buttek’ asbl and the social and solidarity grocery shop in Sanem. In addition to food aid, these organisations offer some accompanying activities for the beneficiaries and have a ‘Kaffiseck’ - a corner/space for meeting and exchange.

The social goods shops are open five days a week and offer items that are on average two thirds cheaper. In return for a symbolic contribution, the Cent Butteks distribute free items - collected from large supermarkets and wholesalers - as well as some products purchased through donations. To be able to shop there, you must have an access card. The card can be applied for at the social welfare office of the municipality of residence or at other social services.  

The ‘Banque Alimentaire’ association collects food and other products that are distributed in the form of parcels via social sector organisations.