Since its establishment five years ago, the Minimum Income Vital (Ingreso Mínimo Vital, IMV) in Spain has supported over a million households, reaching approximately three million individuals.

According to the latest data from the Social Security, nearly 68% of IMV recipients are women.

The program aims to reduce poverty, particularly extreme poverty, and facilitate wealth redistribution.

However, challenges such as application accessibility and stigma continue to hinder its effectiveness.

Ángel, a recipient from Seville, shared his experience of fluctuating employment since 2010, which left him reliant on the IMV beginning in January 2022. He noted that the assistance has been crucial for covering living expenses, including child support and housing costs.

Despite its broad outreach, a staggering 56% of eligible households did not apply for the IMV in 2023. These figures highlight the phenomenon known as 'under-coverage,' which critics assert indicates systemic barriers preventing vulnerable families from securing necessary support.

Ana Belén Montero, a representative from the trade union Comisiones Obreras (CC.OO) in Valencia, pointed out that approximately 19.7% of households live at risk of poverty, with income levels below 60% of the nation's median.

Alfonso López, spokesperson for the European Anti-Poverty Network in Spain (EAPN-ES), outlined significant issues that contribute to these statistics, including digital access and bureaucratic complexities.

Many families lack computers or adequate internet access, further complicating their ability to apply for the IMV. Legal and social experts call for a more proactive approach in outreach and assistance, suggesting that the government should facilitate applications based on available data rather than relying on individuals to navigate the system.

Efforts to enhance support might include raising minimum pensions to align more closely with living costs and implementing universal child benefits as suggested by the political coalition Sumar.

In recent developments, Elma Saiz, the Minister of Inclusion and Social Security, announced plans to increase by 40% the coverage of the child aid supplement, which could be added to the IMV or received independently.

The bureaucratic process of accessing and maintaining IMV remains a point of contention.

Ángela Algora, a worker with a non-profit organization in Seville, described the application process as 'tedious' and often subject to change, posing additional hurdles for applicants.

There are calls for a more intuitive user experience from public institutions, likening it to the streamlined processes found in income tax declarations.

The IMV was implemented at a national level amidst existing regional programs, leading to fragmented processes and confusion for applicants.

Reports from political analysts argue that this disjointed system has incurred psychological and operational costs for those seeking assistance.

Certain autonomous regions, such as the Basque Country and Navarre, have successfully localized the management of IMV, creating a singular point of contact for financial aid, thus reducing stress for applicants.

López noted that regional programs could serve to adjust IMV amounts to better reflect living costs in different areas.

The IMV legislation allows for recipients to earn additional income without losing benefits, aiming to prevent so-called 'poverty traps' where receiving aid disincentivizes earning more.

López emphasized the need for employment incentives that address the realities of part-time workers who often juggle multiple responsibilities.

Experts warn that effective poverty alleviation requires comprehensive policy initiatives that tackle the root causes of socioeconomic issues, spanning from fiscal reforms to improved housing policies, necessitating a concerted political will to drive significant change.