STA, March 8, 2018 – The government adopted legislative changes raising the social benefit payment by 11.34% to EUR 331.36 on Thursday. The figure amounts to 75% of the minimum cost of living, estimated by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities at EUR 613 a month.
The changes raise social aid for those who are single and for couples without children. The former will get EUR 33 more and couples will get EUR 53 more a month, according to Social Affairs Minister Anja Kopač Mrak.
Under the changes, which are to be fast-tracked through parliament, the rise would take effect on 1 April. The Social Affairs Ministry estimates it would cost an additional EUR 14m this year and EUR 18m annually in 2019.
The ministry will also have to make available additional EUR 1.5m this year and EUR 2m the next for extraordinary social aid. Currently, 5,600 people are eligible for this type of aid, which amounts to a total of EUR 20.5m annually.
The changes were not adopted unanimously, with Finance Minister Mateja Vraničar Erman confirming for the STA that she voted against. Apart from the rise, the changes also include more money for funeral payments for the poor and housing subsidies.
The move increases the number of people eligible for funeral and bereavement payments. It is impossible predict the effect of this with complete certainty; however, the ministry expects the figures to increase by a total of about EUR 460,000 this year and EUR 600,000 the next.
Moreover, nearly a quarter of those eligible will also see an increase in rent subsidies. On average, the subsidy would increase by nearly EUR 20 a month for 2,600 persons. The ministry expects the total to amount to EUR 620,000 annually.
