By Vangelis Dourakis

From the beginning of the new year, they are adjusted upwards basically allowances of OPECAbut the resulting increases, as everything shows, will be seen by fewer beneficiaries in their bank accounts. And this is because “cutters” are being adopted by tightening the criteria for the granting of aid, while the so-called “National Register of Social Benefit Beneficiaries”, which follows the corresponding British “model”, is also “in the works”.

Through this, those who receive benefits will be checked and if it is judged that they receive several related benefits at the same time, which exceed a certain amount (eg that of the minimum wage) then they will be trimmed so that they are lower than the ceiling that will be adopted.

Benefit increases… before the “cutters”

In any case, OPECA’s basic benefits will increase for the remaining beneficiaries.

In fact, the increases in some benefits will be significant for the beneficiaries… as long as they don’t lose the benefit because of some “cutter”.

In particular, it increases to 250 euros (from 216 euros) per Minimum Guaranteed Income as well as the increase for each child to 75 euros (against 50 euros), while the
income criteria for its grant.

The housing allowance from 70 euros, it increases to 125 euros and 75 euros, depending on the income scale, while a movable property criterion will also apply.

As far as the child benefit A21the beneficiaries belonging to the 1st scale will see it increase to 75 euros (to 150 euros for the third child and the following ones), while the beneficiaries of the 3rd income scale from 28 euros per child will receive 45 euros per child (and 90 euros for the third child and subsequent ones).

Which “cutters” will be adopted

As mentioned above, however, in order to determine the beneficiary of each allowance, for the first time there is a discussion to establish strict “cut-offs”. One of them concerns the ownership of a vehicle, since it exceeds the 1,600 cubic metersbut the age of the car, the members of the family, with an emphasis on three children, etc. will also be taken into account.

In addition to the establishment of more criteria for the granting of various financial aids, the creation of a “National Register of Beneficiaries of Social Benefits” in which all those who receive aids will be registered will contribute to the change in the scenario for the granting of benefits.

The aim is – according to the Government – to create a single database in which it will be seen who gets what and so that there is a comprehensive supervision and a rationalization of the benefits.

A similar central register of benefits exists in Great Britain and through this a comprehensive supervision of OPECA benefits, Ministry of Labor benefits and benefits such as heating will be sought in order to establish who gets what and why.