The support for more than 1.2 million citizens, announced the Minister of Social adn Family Cohesion, Sofia Zaharakis, in an interview on a television program, because tomorrow, November 29, OPECA benefits, a total of 304,701,154 euros, will be paid through the regular payment.
At the same time, on December 20, the Ministry of Social and Family Cohesion will pay the unusual benefits to OPECA Disability Allowance beneficiaries, uninsured seniors, child benefit beneficiaries, who will receive an additional installment and to. beneficiaries of the Guaranteed Minimum Income, who will receive an additional 50% of the monthly allowance.
It is noted that the extraordinary benefits of OPECA are included in the total support package, announced by the government in the amount of 243 million euros, which benefits more than 1.9 million citizens.
In addition, the Minister of Social and Family Cohesion announced the launch of the training and employment program for 10,000 unemployed people who receive the Guaranteed Minimum income.
“On Monday, the invitation will go out to 10,000 unemployed people who receive the Guaranteed Minimum income and are registered with DYPA. The program, financed with 150 million euros from the Recovery Fund, provides for an 80-hour training and education program for which the trainees will receive 400 euros, and they will also continue to receive the Guaranteed Minimum Income. Immediately afterwards, businesses of all types, small, medium and large, will be able to hire unemployed people for a year.Both salary and non-salary costs will be covered by the Ministry of Social and Family Cohesion. For a year, this person will have a salary that reaches 1,118 euros gross and will have a great opportunity for stable work, provided that it naturally fits the needs and profile of the company,” said Ms. Zaharaki.
Also, when a program contract was signed with the University of Attica west to develop a teacher training program and parent counseling for very young children in nurseries and day care centers, the Minister referred to a wide program of interventions.
“2025 is the year you will see many innovations and interventions in nurseries and children’s centres, in the education of those who give their lives to children between 0 and 4 years of age and of course in counseling and training. the parents » stressed Mrs. Zaharaki.
The allowances
The benefits that will be paid for the month of November relate to 1,234,720 beneficiaries, for a total of 304,701,154 euros, specifically to:
- Child benefit: beneficiaries 579,994 – 114,822,184 euros
- Housing Benefit: beneficiaries 211,382 – 25,592,483 euros
- Guaranteed Minimum Income: beneficiaries 180,281 – 41,889,461 euros
- Disability: beneficiaries 191,905 – 88,093,238 euros
- Housing Benefit: beneficiaries 588 – 204,035 euros
- Uniform Allowance: beneficiaries 5,378 – 189,256 euros
- Allowance for Uninsured Seniors, n. 1296/1982: beneficiaries 13,952 – 5,245,097 euros
- Social Solidarity Allowance for Seniors: beneficiaries 20,040 – 9,064,217 euros
- Funeral expenses: beneficiaries 75 – 59,722 euros
- Birth Benefit: beneficiaries 10,236 – 13,410,950 euros
- Allowance for mountain areas and disadvantaged areas: beneficiaries 2,089 – 1,023,600 euros
- Red Loans: beneficiaries 3,481 – 287,041 euros
- Protected children of those who died in natural disasters: beneficiaries 23-23,000 euros
- Bridge Programme: 41 beneficiaries – 13,864 euros
- Vulnerable debtors: beneficiaries 230 – 26,951 euros
- Commitment Allowance: 592 beneficiaries – 422,476 euros
- Personal assistant programme: beneficiaries 1,549 – 1,215,630 euros
- Solidarity Allowance for the Greek minority in Albania: beneficiaries 12,884 – 3,117,949 euros
To find out about benefits,interested parties can visit Free OPECA website,.
How does the Greek government measure the effectiveness of financial support programs for citizens?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Sofia Zaharakis, Minister of Social and family Cohesion
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Minister Zaharakis. It’s great to have you here to discuss some vital developments in social support. Let’s dive right in. You recently announced notable financial support to over 1.2 million citizens. Could you elaborate on the nature of this support?
Zaharakis: Thank you for having me. Yes, I’m pleased to share that tomorrow we will be disbursing OPECA benefits totaling approximately 304.7 million euros. This payment is crucial as it aims to support families and individuals who rely on these benefits to meet their daily needs.
Editor: That’s a ample amount. How does the ministry prioritize which beneficiaries recieve these funds, and who qualifies for OPECA benefits?
Zaharakis: OPECA, or the Institution for Social Solidarity and Basic Social Services, provides financial assistance primarily to vulnerable groups, including low-income families, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly. Our priority is to ensure that those who are most in need receive timely and adequate support.
Editor: it’s clear that the government is taking steps to support its citizens. You mentioned the upcoming unusual benefits that will be paid on December 20. What can you tell us about that initiative?
Zaharakis: The unusual benefits will specifically support OPECA Disability Allowance beneficiaries, uninsured seniors, and child benefit recipients. These payments are designed to alleviate financial strain, especially during the holiday season, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Editor: It’s heartening to see initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for citizens. Considering the economic challenges many are facing,how does the ministry plan to sustain these kinds of support in the long term?
Zaharakis: Sustaining support requires careful planning and a commitment to social investment.We are working closely with various stakeholders to assess our current frameworks and adapt our strategies to ensure that funding and resources are available for ongoing assistance.
Editor: That sounds like a well-thought-out approach. As the socio-economic landscape evolves, what measures are in place to evaluate the effectiveness of these benefits?
Zaharakis: We have implemented a robust monitoring system to assess the impact of our assistance programs. This involves regular data collection and feedback from beneficiaries to understand their needs better and to adjust our programs accordingly.
Editor: That’s very reassuring. Lastly, what message would you like to send to the citizens who will benefit from these programs?
Zaharakis: I want to assure our citizens that the government is committed to their well-being. We understand the challenges many of you face, and we are here to support you. Together, we can navigate these tough times and work towards a more inclusive future.
Editor: Thank you, Minister Zaharakis, for your insights and your dedication to social cohesion. We appreciate your time today and look forward to seeing the positive impact of these initiatives.
Zaharakis: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure to share our initiatives with your audience.