Before the end of the year, additional benefits will be paid to frontline healthcare workers, low-income pensioners, and people with disabilities., which the prime minister announced yesterday.
The total amount to be paid is 338.5 million, all of which stems from the economy’s stronger-than-expected growth. The government’s goal is twofold: on the one hand, to reward healthcare workers for their daily struggle on the front lines in combating the pandemic, and, on the other hand, to support low-income pensioners and people with disabilities in coping with the increased cost of living, due to high prices for energy and basic goods.
It should be noted that the benefits announced by Kyriakos Mitsotakis from the floor of Parliament, the 250-euro allowance for retirees earning less than 600 euros and for people with disabilities who are OPEC beneficiaries, as well as the additional half-month’s salary for 100,000 frontline healthcare workers, have a total fiscal cost of 338.5 million euros.
The number of beneficiaries is estimated to exceed one million, and to this figure must be added those who receive the guaranteed minimum income, who will see double the amount in their accounts on December 15.
The beneficiaries of this new emergency benefit, in detail:
- Healthcare workers: Approximately 100,000 healthcare workers and EKAΒ employees will receive a bonus equal to half of their monthly base salary. The payment will be made with the payroll at the end of December to healthcare workers in hospitals, health centers, and the National Ambulance Service (EKAV). The total cost is estimated at 90 million euros.
Low-income pensioners: Approximately 800,000 low-income pensioners, with pensions under 600 euros, will receive 250 euros each, as well as an additional 50 euros for each dependent. They will receive a total of 205 million in aid to help them cope with rising energy and basic goods prices.
People with Disabilities: In addition, 173,000 of our fellow citizens with disabilities will receive an additional allowance of 250 euros to help them cope with rising energy and basic goods prices. Eligible recipients are those who receive the OPEKA disability allowance. The total cost amounts to 43.5 million euros.
The criteria for retirees are:
They must have reported an annual individual taxable income of up to 7,200 euros, that is, pension income of up to 600 euros
annual family taxable income of up to 14,400 euros.
total taxable value of the household’s real estate up to 200,000 euros in aggregate for the entire household.
