A Social assistance under the impact of federal underfunding in times of pandemic Covid-19

Abstract

The article addresses the importance of adequate, continuous and regular public funding for the maintenance of the Social Assistance policy, especially in view of the increased demand for access to the provisions offered in the policy, as a result of the economic and social effects caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. It was adopted as methodological instruments, in a qualitative approach, the bibliographic review and documentary research. The institutionalization of Social Assistance as a public policy under the responsibility of the State and a citizen's right is discussed. Next, the process of federal de-funding and the rupture of the commitments agreed upon by the federal government, inaugurated with Constitutional Amendment No. 95/2016, is addressed. It concludes that the context of federal de-funding, especially of discretionary expenses aimed at structuring the system and co-funding social assistance services, has caused a dismantling in the public system and generated conflict in the management of the policy strongly demanded in times of pandemic COVID-19.