Tasks in the field of social assistance at the municipal level – diversity of solutions

Abstract

The aim of the article is to present the variety of solutions used by local government administration at the primary level in the implementation of social assistance tasks. They constitute an important element not only as part of the implementation of social policy by the state, but in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity – a key element of the local government functions of local authorities (primarily at the commune and district level). It should be noted here that tasks in the field of social assistance were subject to constant evolution, starting from May 1990 (restoration of local self‑government at the municipal level). This was determined by various factors – pauperization of part of society, reconstruction of socio‑economic institutions related to the formation of a market economy, expansion of self‑government competences of local authorities (as part of the decentralization processes implemented – although not consistently and non‑linearly). The presented analysis is of a political science nature, at the same time discussing normative regulations and trying to show – in a fragmentary form – the practical dimension of the operation of municipal administration. Basic research methods were used: legal and institutional analysis, comparative method, case study.