Streszczenie
The study examines distribution and impact of the transfers directed by definition to thelow income
population (hereafter: the social assistance). During the period observedboth the volume and the
number of recipients increased considerably. Those benefits appeared to be fairly effective as a tool
preventing the non-poor from falling intopoverty and quite successful in supporting the poor in
escaping from poverty. Most of
the types of households exposed to higher than average risk of poverty are less likely to
be discriminated in receiving social assistance. The analysis of behavioural response confirmed
relatively high proportion of foregone income.