Conventionally agreed category of social needs and risks that individuals and households may face at different stages in their life. The classification of social benefits by function thus indicates the primary purpose for which the social protection is provided, irrespective of legislative or institutional provisions. Eight functions of social protection are distinguished in the ESSPROS:
- Sickness/Health care
- Disability
- Old age
- Survivors
- Family/children
- Unemployment
- Housing
- Social exclusion not elsewhere classified.