Public Initiative Calls for Increase in Care Allowance for People with Severe Disabilities
A public initiative has been launched to raise the care allowance for people with severe disabilities, unchanged since 2009, and link it to the minimum wage.
A new public initiative is urging the government to increase the care allowance for people with severe disabilities in Latvia. The current allowance of €213.43 per month has remained unchanged since 2009. According to the initiative's authors, the cost of living has risen significantly over the past 15 years, including expenses for food, medicine, hygiene products, and utilities. As a result, the real value of the allowance has diminished and no longer provides adequate support.
The proposal suggests raising the allowance to at least 60% of the minimum wage, which would currently amount to €444 per month (based on the minimum wage of €620). This would ensure that the allowance automatically keeps pace with living costs, as it would increase along with the minimum wage.
The initiative is open for electronic signature. Its goal is to reduce the financial burden on people with severe disabilities, as well as their families and caregivers.
