| Abstract [eng] |
After Lithuania recovered its independence, more attention was being paid to the people’s adaptation in a constantly changing environment, to the vital needs of the people and possibilities of satisfying them. The decision to create a democratic society obliged the authorities to concern for the weakest members of our society: old lonely people, families having social problems, disabled people, orphans, etc. This concern increased every year. The turning point, according to the specialists, took place in January 1, 2004, when the law of the monetary social maintenance for families (individuals) with low income of the Lithuanian Republic was enforced (No. IX-1675; News 2003, No 73-3352). According to the law the property of the individuals who applied to receive the social payment was being evaluated. This made the rendering of the financial support more accurate – the money was given to those who needed it most. The year of 2004 was very important as the payment to the child (instead of the family allowance) was introduced (the law of the allowance to children of the Lithuanian Republic). As compared to the last decade, there have appeared new types of allowance: single payment of the dwelling to acquire or to settle oneself in a new flat, payment of the ward ship, single payment for pregnant women, etc. According to the specialist, the law of social support for schoolchildren of the Lithuanian Republic (No. X-686, News 2006, No. 73-2755) accepted in 2006 is very important, too. Pupils are given free nourishment at school and money for the acquisition of school supplies. The results of the qualitative investigation revealed not only the above mentioned tendencies of the development of the system of social monetary support but its shortcomings, as well. The rendering of the social support has enlarged the number of the unemployed, financial support is not always given to those who really need it most and the allowance is too small to satisfy at least minimum of one’s needs. Taking into consideration the above mentioned shortcomings and trying to improve the system of social maintenance, it is necessary to integrate the social support into families with children, to make the criteria for the rendering of social payment stricter and to reduce the number of unemployed people. |
