**Disability Benefits Set for Increases Under New Legislation**
In a significant development for individuals with disabilities in Cyprus, the government is preparing to unveil legislation that will increase disability benefits across the board. This announcement follows a meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and representatives from various advocacy groups for people with disabilities, patients, and the elderly.
The proposed law aims to provide higher benefits for both existing and new beneficiaries across different categories of disability. Notably, the new framework will eliminate the previous income criteria that dictated eligibility for support. This change is expected to broaden access to assistance for individuals with severe disabilities and moderate intellectual disabilities who have historically been excluded from state support due to income restrictions.
The president of the Cyprus Confederation of Disability Organisations (Kysoa), Themis Anthopoulou, expressed optimism about the forthcoming legislation, describing it as the first significant revision of disability support in decades. Many of the benefits currently in place have remained unchanged for approximately 20 years, and the anticipated increases are expected to be substantial, although specific amounts have yet to be disclosed.
Anthopoulou highlighted that the reform would particularly benefit individuals with conditions such as autism and multiple sclerosis, who previously faced barriers to accessing support due to their income levels. The new legislation follows a previous law approved in April that decoupled disability benefits from the minimum guaranteed income system, a move aimed at streamlining support for those in need.
Charalambos Papadopoulos, president of the Cyprus Federation of Patients’ Associations (Osak), welcomed the planned increases, noting that all existing disability-related allowances would receive adjustments, including those that would not have been modified under the new legal framework. He commended President Christodoulides for his ongoing engagement with issues concerning disability and patient welfare, and mentioned that discussions included additional policy proposals that could be developed in the coming months.
In addition to disability benefits, the meeting also addressed issues affecting older adults, such as long-term care, aging at home, and the prevention of elder abuse. Demos Antoniou, president of the Observatory of the Third Age, emphasized the importance of improving support for elderly individuals and promoting dignified aging, particularly in light of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Advocacy groups also raised concerns regarding the challenges faced by informal caregivers, many of whom leave their jobs to care for family members and receive minimal support or recognition for their efforts. While the planned increases in disability benefits are a welcome step, representatives from these organizations stressed that further reforms are necessary to align Cyprus's disability support systems with those of other European nations.
Anthopoulou pointed out that Cyprus ranks among the lowest in the European Union regarding disability-related benefits. However, she believes that the proposed increases represent a crucial first step toward improving support for individuals with disabilities after years of stagnant assistance.
A follow-up meeting with President Christodoulides has already been scheduled for the autumn, during which further discussions on these important issues are expected to take place. As the government prepares to introduce this new legislation, many in the community are hopeful that these changes will lead to a more equitable and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities and the elderly in Cyprus.