The COVID-19 pandemic became a challenge for modern humanity not only because of the impact of the new virus on health and mortality but also because of the negative changes in social life caused by quarantine restrictions and a complex epidemiological situation. The epidemic heavily affected the family, as its development is interconnected with all spheres of social life. In Ukraine, families felt the challenges of the pandemic period especially acutely, primarily due to insufficient economic support for their lives. Pandemic health risks and related anti-epidemic measures made it difficult to fulfil the functions assigned to the family, deepened existing problems and created new ones. The purpose of this study was to highlight the problems and challenges for the family in Ukraine during the COVID-19 and the management decisions of the state aimed at reducing the negative consequences of the pandemic. The requirements of social distancing, long-term stay at home, and remote employment exacerbated the issue of the distribution of family responsibilities. In Ukraine, where the main responsibilities of running a household and care work are traditionally mostly left to women, during the pandemic, the social and economic vulnerability of women increased even more. The prolonged closure of schools and preschools, remote learning at home, and the suspension of certain social and domestic services contributed to the increased burden on women. The problems of providing high-quality care services for minor children, assistance to the elderly and persons with disabilities have remained unresolved for a long time. Socio-economic troubles increased tensions in the family and often led to a growth of cases of family violence, primarily against women and children. The quality of life of families with children was negatively affected by the unsolved housing problem because the lack of living space was felt more acutely when switching to a remote form of employment and with all family members staying at home at all times. The number of family conflicts grew, and the problems of gender equality became more acute. State measures to support families with children and the elderly during this period focused mainly on financial assistance and were insufficiently proactive and effective.