"The COVID-19crisis has laid bare pre-existing gaps in social protection provisions. As employees fell ill, reduced their working hours or lost their jobs, paid sick-leave schemes, short-time work schemes and unemployment benefits have kicked in. This has helped to sustain the incomes of many, but even in countries with the most advanced social protection, some workers with non-standard jobs and their families miss out. The situation is worse in countries with large informal sectors where growing numbers of people losework without any access to income.This policy brief discusses the measures countries have taken to support the livelihoods of those who cannot access unemployment benefits or short-term work schemes. It examines the raft of new programmes introduced across the OECD and beyond, including means-tested assistance, new cash transfer schemes, and direct support for those struggling to meet their expenses. It also discusses how to close social protection gaps beyond the crisis to ensure inclusive growth post-COVID.2

Support: Digital