The subject of the study is social inequality in Russian society, which determines the inequality of households in income, expenditure, consumption, ownership of financial assets and fulfillment of financial obligations, which requires the development of an effective state social policy to improve living standards, reduce inequality and poverty of Russian citizens. The objectives of the work are to identify the most socially vulnerable categories of the population on the basis of a sample survey of households and offer targeted social programs of state support. The study substantiates the need to strengthen the state's responsibility for the social inequality of Russian society and the adoption of economic measures to support socially vulnerable citizens. It is established that due to the lack of an adequate classification of the social hierarchy to date, the problem of social inequality and poverty is solved by supporting the most needy households in Russia. To do this, an analysis of the level and composition of available resources by socio-demographic type of households is carried out and a problematic category is identified, which currently includes large families. A gradation of households with financial difficulties in paying the payments set by them has been formed, mainly in terms of servicing consumer and mortgage loans. The measures proposed by the state to support households experiencing difficulties are given: an increase in the amount of social payments, primarily to families with children and wages for employees. The result of the social policy was a decrease in the number of poor Russian citizens. Conclusions are drawn about the need to reduce social inequality, which slows down economic growth and hinders the fight against poverty, by increasing the monetary incomes of the population, leading to a decrease in the number of citizens with incomes below the poverty line, as well as to improve citizens' personal assessment of their financial situation.