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This study examines how economic abuse against women in intimate relationships is identified and addressed within social services. Economic abuse restricts individuals’ agency and often creates long-term economic vulnerability yet remains less recognized than other forms of intimate partner violence. The aim of the study is to explore social workers’ professional practices in identifying and responding to economic abuse, as well as how this work is shaped by professional discretion and organizational conditions. The study adopts a qualitative approach and is based on semi-structured interviews with four social workers working within financial assistance services and women’s support services. A hermeneutic analytical framework was applied to explore how social workers interpret economic patterns, client narratives, and signs of control over time. The findings show that economic abuse is rarely identified through explicit disclosure by the affected woman, but rather through indirect indicators such as recurring financial difficulties, debt, restricted access to resources, and partner control. Identification emerges as an interpretative process dependent on professional experience and organizational context. Joint applications for financial assistance in ongoing relationships often limit women’s ability to speak freely, increasing the risk that abuse remains concealed. The results further demonstrate that economic abuse is frequently normalized and overshadowed by other forms of violence, while organizational constraints and lack of standardized tools contribute to variations in assessment and support. The study highlights how social workers navigate a tension between immediate safety concerns and long-term economic recovery, and how fragmented organizational structures may place additional responsibility on affected women. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of economic abuse as both a relational and institutional issue, emphasizing the need for clearer guidelines, increased professional training, and more coordinated support systems. Keywords: economic abuse, intimate partner violence, social services, professional discretion, social work.