The care allowance will increase in July. Deputies approved it today. However, according to the coalition proposal, the allowance will not increase for everyone. The allowance for people with second, third and fourth degrees of dependence on the help of others will increase. The allowance for people with a first degree of dependency will remain the same, despite the opposition’s proposals.
The amounts of care allowances, which will apply from July, entered the law as amendments in the second reading. The amendment, which was finally approved by the House of Representatives, is, with one exception, less generous than the bill that the Ministry of Social Affairs originally brought at the end of the year.
The exception is the allowance for care with the highest degree of dependency. Its beneficiaries will be divided into two groups: people who use residential services and people who are cared for at home. And the contribution to the second group will increase by a lot. Minister Marian Jurečka called it a sign of support for families, and underlined that home care is always cheaper for the state than care in a residential facility.
“We are aware of the great importance of this form of assistance, which is why even more money will be given to people with complete dependence who do not use residential services. It will enable them to receive better care in their home environment,” said Jurečka earlier.
Increase in childcare allowance from July 2024
Degree
dependencies
Now
From 1 July 2024
Number of recipients
I
3300 CZK
CZK 3300 (without increase)
11 900
II
6600 CZK
7400 CZK (increase by 800 CZK)
9500
III
13,900 CZK
CZK 16,100 (increase by CZK 2,200)
6400
IV
19,200 CZK
CZK 23,000 – in a residential facility (increase by CZK 3,800)
CZK 27,000 – in home care (increase by CZK 7,800)
4700
Increase in adult care allowance from July 2024
Degree
dependencies
Now
From 1 July 2024
Number of recipients
I
CZK 880
CZK 880 (without increase)
86 100
II
4400 CZK
4900 CZK (increase by 500 CZK)
103 300
III
12,800 CZK
CZK 14,800 (increase by CZK 2,000)
89 100
IV
19,200 CZK
CZK 23,000 – in a residential facility (increase by CZK 3,800)
CZK 27,000 – in home care (increase by CZK 7,800)
25 000
The approved amendment also introduces a new mechanism for increasing the care allowance. Today, it is necessary to amend the law to change it, now a government regulation will be sufficient to increase it.
According to the amendment, the increase in the allowance for care will occur when inflation has increased by five percent since the last increase in the allowance. The specific amounts will then be adjusted by the government directly in the regulation.
The law will now be discussed by senators. If enough hands are raised for it and the president signs it, there will be nothing to prevent it from being publicly on the bill and effective from July.
The care allowance is intended to pay for the services of a carer, a care facility or for a close person who cannot earn as much as they otherwise might, or does not earn at all, due to caregiving. The last time the care allowance, introduced in 2007, was increased five years ago. Since then, the prices of care services have risen significantly and will continue to rise this year.
Gabriel Pleska
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