Exploring Community Perceptions of Social Services and Government Assistance in Pematang Guntung Village, Teluk Mengkudu Subdistrict, Serdang Bedagai Regency

Abstract

This study aims to explore community perceptions of social services and government assistance in Pematang Guntung Village, Teluk Mengkudu Subdistrict, Serdang Bedagai Regency. Social services and government aid are essential instruments for improving rural welfare, yet their implementation often faces challenges such as limited resources, lengthy bureaucracy, uneven distribution, and lack of transparency. These conditions generate diverse community perceptions, both positive and negative, which influence trust in government and participation in development programs. The research is limited to the local context of Pematang Guntung Village, focusing on community perceptions of health, education, and welfare services, as well as government assistance in the form of food aid, subsidies, and empowerment programs. A descriptive approach was employed to systematically examine community perceptions. The findings are expected to provide a comprehensive overview of how residents evaluate the quality of social services and the effectiveness of government assistance, while identifying key factors shaping perceptions, including experience, knowledge, motivation, values, and socio-cultural environment.