Facing the War in Ukraine: The Subjective Perspective of Social Assistance Beneficiaries

Abstract

In this study, we focus on the perspectives of social assistance beneficiaries and their reactions to the uncertainties arising from the war in Ukraine and the influx of war refugees in Poland. Our analysis is based on survey data collected from a representative sample of 1,057 social assistance beneficiaries in Poland’s central Mazowieckie region. Most respondents anticipate an increase in household poverty levels, a deterioration of Poland’s economic situation, and a decline in their own financial well-being due to the war in Ukraine. Expectations include a decrease in government revenue and a drop in household incomes. While our analyses offer a partial glimpse into the reality of social assistance beneficiaries in the Mazowieckie region, they underscore concerns about the potential impact of the refugee influx on both individual and national economic conditions. Addressing these concerns is crucial to prevent tensions between Poles and Ukrainians, highlighting the importance of recommendations to counteract discrimination and anti-refugee attitudes in the host society.

Keywords

• war in ukraine
• social assistance beneficiaries
• resilience of social assistance beneficiaries