Parliament passes disability reform separating benefits from income criteria

A package of disability reform laws was unanimously approved by the House plenum on Monday, introducing a new framework that separates disability benefits from income criteria and restricts the government’s ability to reduce allowances without parliamentary approval.

The legislation establishes a unified system of support for people with disabilities, including independent living services and the integration of existing benefits into a single framework.

A central provision decouples disability-related allowances from the minimum guaranteed income, a change expected to expand eligibility to some 10,000 beneficiaries who were previously excluded due to income thresholds.

During the plenary session, parties emphasised that the reform would be implemented gradually and would not result in immediate changes for all beneficiaries.

One of the most significant amendments introduced by parliament limits cabinet authority, allowing it to increase benefits but not reduce or cut them without legislative approval.

Additional provisions ensure that benefits are calculated from the date of application rather than when an assessment is completed.

Amendments also protect existing benefits from being abolished and remove certain eligibility requirements.

The reform introduces new categories of independent living services, including personal assistants, early family support counsellors, trainers and psychologists, while strengthening existing roles such as social companions and sign language interpreters.

The framework also sets out licensing conditions for service providers and defines procedures for evaluating applications and handling objections.

The new legislation allows individuals to retain disability support regardless of income changes, subject to the structure of the revised system.

The reform also provides for the reinstatement of individuals who had previously lost benefits due to income criteria, under specific conditions, while ensuring that people over the age of 65 continue to receive existing support.

Government planning includes a projected increase of €106 million in funding for disability support over the next two years, aimed at facilitating the gradual inclusion of new beneficiaries and the expansion of services.