EN
The paper synthetically shows the role and tasks of social assistance on a local level, here primarily understood as the lowest level of local administration - 'gmina' (commune). The text first presents a brief summary of legal basis for social assistance as well as explains gmina's tasks. Next the paper describes available social security benefits. Finally those issues which can challenge and undermine the whole system are discussed, for example integration of social assistance initiatives, labour market and national health service.