30.09.2020

Financial support for people with disabilities will be provided without an individual needs assessment

Monthly financial support for people with disabilities to be granted without additional individual needs assessment. This is provided by changes in the Law on People with Disabilities, which are published for public discussion until October 28, 2020. The changes were developed by a working group at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy with the participation of all stakeholders. With the new texts, it is proposed to drop the commitment to fill in a self-assessment form, which creates serious difficulties for individuals.

The amendments will shorten the deadlines for receiving support and individuals will be able to exercise their rights more quickly. The administrative burden will also be reduced. People with disabilities will receive the financial support they need by submitting only one application, accompanied by a medical document, to the Social Assistance Directorate at the current address. The granting of targeted assistance for spa treatment and/or rehabilitation services and for renting municipal housing will also not require an individual needs assessment and filling in a self-assessment form.

The preparation of an individual needs assessment shall be maintained in accordance with the established procedure when applying for targeted assistance for the purchase of a personal motor vehicle and adaptation of housing, as well as for establishing the need for personal assistance, social services or other support in the Law on People with Disabilities.

The amendments introduce a clear regulation of the mechanism for switching the provision and financing of aids, devices, equipment and medical devices for people with disabilities to the health care system from January 1, 2021 in response to long-standing requests of people with disabilities for such a change. A longer time horizon is also provided for the preparation of the institutionalization of the State Agency for People with Disabilities at the Council of Ministers. By the end of 2021, all necessary actions will be taken to conduct a thorough analysis in order to introduce precise regulations regarding the structure, activities and powers of the new structure in support of people with disabilities.

The draft Law on Amendments to the Law on People with Disabilities was published on the Portal for Public Consultations of the Ministry and on the website of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy in the period 29.09.2020 - 28.10.2020 inclusive. It will also be considered at a meeting of the National Council for People with Disabilities.