Assistance to persons in material need

ASSISTANCE TO PERSONS IN MATERIAL NEED At the present time in the Czech Republic the assistance to persons in material need is provided by nongovernmental organisations (Salvation Army, Naděje, Diakonie and others). However, the state has the bigger role to play in this area as according to Art. 30/2 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms it is obliged to provide anyone in material need the assistance in securing basic living conditions. The state does so through the Material Need Assistance Bodies. As the previous legal regulation of assistance to persons in social need had not been fully sufficient, a new Act on Assistance in Material Need was adopted, coming into force on 1 January 2007. This Act introduced several crucial changes. The Material Need Assistance Body is obliged to provide social consultation to anyone in material need. Timely and professional consultation very often leads to resolving the difficult situation of the client, and regularly there is no longer any need to grant and disburse the relevant benefits and allowances. In case the social consultation is insufficient to resolve the situation of the client the Act allows for disbursing material need assistance benefits and allowances. These are envisioned to resolve certain situation of the client. If the client lacks..