Law No. 131/V/2001 on the Basic Law of Social Protection.

This Decree-Law, consisting of seven Chapters, defines the bases of social protection as a permanent structure at three levels: safety net, mandatory social protection and complementary social protection. The safety net is based on national solidarity, reflects a distributive nature and covers the entire resident population that is in a situation of lack or reduction of means of subsistence and cannot fully assume its own protection. The safety net's objective is the well-being of individuals, families and the community, through social promotion, including social action, and regional development, in order to reduce social inequalities and regional asymmetries. The safety net aims to prevent situations of deprivation, dysfunction and marginalization, as well as social integration through special protection for the most vulnerable groups, such as: a) Persons in a serious situation of poverty; b) Women in a disadvantaged situation; c) Children and adolescents with special needs or at risk; d) Unemployed at risk of marginalization; e) Elderly people in a situation of physical or economic dependence and isolation; f) People with disabilities, at risk or social exclusion.