Description (eng)
This paper examines the experiences people of old age who live in poverty in Lower Austria
and Vienna make, while in contact with public agencies and authorities, using international
research literature and the analysis of three qualitative interviews via Grounded Theory. The
perspectives of public workers are included in the analysis. Relations between those contacts
and the phenomenon of non-take-up are clarified. Public agencies and authorities answer
questions on how they organize contacts and conduct conversations. It is shown that there is
skepticism towards state institutions, although some contacts are experienced in a positive
way. However, interviewees also experience contacts as humiliating and criticize the
communication of public workers, which can lead to non-take-up and breakoffs of contact.