Support package for people with disabilities and their families approved

2026-07-22 14:20:00, Aktualitet CNA

The Council of Ministers today approved a package of draft decisions with significant social impact, aimed at strengthening support for people with disabilities, their families and personal assistants.

The package includes:

-the draft decision “On an addition to decision no. 182, dated 26.2.2020, of the Council of Ministers, “On determining the measure, criteria, procedures and documentation for the assessment and benefit of payment for persons with disabilities, as well as personal assistants”, as amended;

- the draft decision “On an addition to decision no. 277, dated 18.6.1997, of the Council of Ministers, “On benefits from the status of the blind”, as amended;

-the draft decision "On an addition and amendment to decision no. 722, dated 11.11.2019, of the Council of Ministers, "On determining the measure, criteria, procedures and documentation for the assessment and benefit of disability and personal assistant, and the responsible structures and their duties", as amended;

-the draft decision "On some additions to decision no. 751, dated 1.12.2022, of the Council of Ministers, "On special state protection for unemployed women with three or more children up to 18 years of age".

The approved decisions foresee the doubling of the payment amount for 10,240 children with disabilities, with an additional financial effect of 750 million lek in the State Budget. This measure enters into force with financial effects starting from July 1, 2026.

Increased financial support will directly impact the improvement of the quality of life of children with disabilities, enabling early intervention, skills development, social inclusion and alleviating the financial burden on their families. At the same time, it creates conditions for more sustainable development and increases opportunities for a more independent life in the future.

Another important relief is the removal of the obligation to submit medical documentation to the assessment committees every year, in cases where the benefit period is several years. This measure significantly reduces administrative procedures and avoids unnecessary costs for persons with disabilities and their families. The package also provides for the recognition of contributory periods for 14,657 personal assistants of persons with disabilities, with an additional financial effect of 674 million lek in the State Budget, starting from September 1, 2026.

This measure guarantees equal treatment for personal assistants, by recognizing their period of service as a contributory period for social and health insurance. At the same time, it strengthens support for family care, enabling people with disabilities to live close to their loved ones and reducing the need for institutionalization.

This package represents an important step in strengthening the government's social policies, with a focus on supporting the most needy categories, guaranteeing dignity, equality and social inclusion, as well as building a fairer and more comprehensive social protection system./ CNA