Social services involve a broad range of programs and services intended to ensure a minimum standard of living and designed to promote human and societal well-being.

In addition to fundamental public services such as health care and education, addressed specifically in parts 4.5 and 4.7. respectively of this Handbook, social services and welfare systems provide both financial and non-financial benefits. These include social security programs that offer financial support for older persons, persons with disabilities and survivors; sickness and accident benefits; unemployment benefits; maternity and paternity benefits, family benefits/allowances, housing assistance (subsidies or social housing), and support for the homeless or those at risk of homelessness; guaranteed minimum income or in-kind benefits, such as food assistance for low-income families; child and family services including child care subsidies, programs and tools aimed at combatting domestic violence, and child welfare services; old age and disability support.