Government announces upcoming increases to disability benefits

President Nikos Christodoulides met with the Social Alliance for the Citizen at the Presidential Palace on Monday to discuss updates to disability welfare policies. Representatives from the Cyprus Confederation of Organisations of the Disabled (KYSOA), the Cyprus Federation of Patient Associations (OSAK), and the Elderly Observatory participated in the meeting. The government plans to implement across-the-board increases for all existing disability benefit recipients and extend coverage to new categories of beneficiaries. Officials stated that these new payments will no longer be subject to income criteria, marking a shift in the current structure. The proposal is currently awaiting formal approval by the Council of Ministers before the exact figures are officially announced. Participants also addressed secondary issues, specifically the shortage of long-term care services for the elderly and chronically ill, as well as delays in the implementation of the 'red button' emergency program. The final details regarding the new legislation are expected to be disclosed by the government in the coming days.