However, the ceiling is sometimes fairly high, and for a few countries, there is no upper limit. The benefit level is unrelated to previous income and has thus a considerable redistributive effect. The overall redistributive impact is however difficult to gauge as it depends on how minimum income benefits are combined with other social assistance schemes. For instance, in continental Europe, minimum income programmes often complement other benefits delivering important first-tier safety nets whereas in Australia and New Zealand it represents the main benefit for individuals without income.