ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM OF THE POPULATION

Abstract

The organizational structure of the social protection system is a key element in ensuring social stability and well-being of citizens. It includes various bodies and institutions responsible for providing social services, assistance and ensuring minimum social standards for various categories of the population, such as pensioners, disabled people, low-income families and other vulnerable groups. The social protection system has many levels of organization, starting from local authorities and ending with national institutions. Such a structure is an important mechanism for ensuring the social rights of citizens and supporting them in difficult life situations. At the state level, the main bodies implementing social protection are the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, which coordinates and determines the general policy in the field of social protection. It is responsible for the development and implementation of state assistance programs, as well as for coordinating the work of local authorities. An important element is also the system of local selfgovernment bodies, which implement state decisions on the ground, providing specific assistance to citizens in need of social support. At the level of regions and local communities, social protection is organized through social protection departments, which are part of local governments. They distribute state aid, organize the work of social service centers, and provide support to socially vulnerable categories of the population. An important component of the system is the provision of social services, such as temporary accommodation for people in difficult life circumstances, assistance to the unemployed, compensation for families with children, and support for the disabled. The social protection system also includes numerous charitable organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide assistance to those in need. These organizations are often involved in implementing programs that complement state measures, including assistance to displaced persons, support for orphans, and provision of humanitarian assistance in crisis situations. In many cases, these structures are the first to respond to social problems arising from natural disasters or social conflicts. The system of financing social protection of the population is provided through the state budget, as well as through social insurance contributions made by enterprises and citizens. One of the important elements is the pension system, which operates on the basis of solidarity and accumulation principles. Pensions, disability benefits, the provision of sick leave – all this makes up a complex of social insurance measures, which is the basis for material support for citizens in various life situations. In addition, the issue of legal support is important in the social protection system. To help people who encounter difficulties in obtaining social services or face legal problems in this area, free legal advice and support are provided. One of the important areas of development of the social protection system is the improvement of assistance mechanisms, in particular through the digitalization of processes. Modern technologies allow automating many aspects, facilitating access to social services for citizens, reducing bureaucratic barriers and increasing the efficiency of social services.