Nicosia, Cyprus. The confederation of organisations for the disabled, Kysoa, on Friday described the first notification of a new bill increasing benefits for people with disabilities as a particularly important development. The measure follows cabinet approval on Thursday and was announced on Friday by Deputy Welfare Minister Clea Papaellina.
Kysoa welcomes across-the-board increases
Kysoa said that after more than 20 arduous years of painful stagnation, disability benefits are increasing. It noted that the last readjustment took place in 2019, at a cost of €4 million and covering a limited number of benefits.
Cabinet approval and scope of the bill
On Thursday, the cabinet approved the new bill, which was announced on Friday by Deputy Welfare Minister Clea Papaellina.
Kysoa said that, as a social partner of the state on disability issues, its consistent position was that the first notification should include everyone. It said the bill does so for the first time, equally and without discrimination, with increases applying across the board to all beneficiaries.
Impact on people with severe disabilities
The confederation said thousands of people with severe disabilities, who had been invisible, are now beginning to become visible because the disability benefit is being separated, together with care, from the minimum guaranteed income and its financial criteria.
According to Kysoa, those criteria had subjected people to poverty due to their disability.
Step toward a dignified life
Kysoa said that although the new bill does not resolve decades of problems and omissions, it constitutes a crucial step of justice toward the gradual full realisation of the fundamental right of every person to an independent and dignified life.