Cyprus is among the countries with the lowest social protection expenditure in the European Union, recording a percentage that barely reaches 3.3%, while on average in the EU the level of social protection expenditure is 7.1%.
This, in fact, is happening, according to the Cyprus Paraplegic Organization, at a time when the cost of living in Cyprus has shown a significant increase in recent years, but there has been no corresponding increase in the relevant benefits. As a result, paraplegics and quadriplegics are on the verge of poverty or have already exceeded them "and, in fact, in a country that prides itself on its surpluses".
According to the latest published data from the European Statistical Office (Eurostat):
>> In the European Union, people with disabilities face a significantly higher risk of poverty or social exclusion compared to people without disabilities. In 2024, the relative risk was 61% higher for people with disabilities.
>> 22.8% of people with disabilities in the EU said in 2024 that they face difficulties in meeting basic living needs, compared to 15% of people without disabilities.
>> 38% of people with disabilities in the EU said they would not be able to cover an unforeseen financial cost, which is significantly higher than that of the general population.
In Cyprus, according to Eurostat data:
>> About 22% of the population aged 16 and over say they live with some form of disability.
>> 27.6% of people with disabilities stated in 2024 that they find it difficult to meet their daily financial obligations, a percentage more than double the European average of 12.8%.
>> 43.9% stated that they are unable to cover an extraordinary financial expense, compared to 38% in the European Union.
During a press conference, the president of the Cyprus Paraplegic Organization, Dimitris Lambrianides, stressed that, despite the improvement of fiscal indicators and the surpluses of recent years, social welfare policies have not responded to the real needs of people with disabilities.
"Many months ago, the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, which recognizes that the cost of caring for people with quadriplegia is more than €3,000 per month, informed us that through the new legislation we would see substantial increases in care benefits for both quadriplegic people and paraplegics." In the end, "the increases announced to date are zero, while in a recent meeting with the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, where we discussed relevant requests we submitted, she informed us that they have not yet decided to give increases. And we reasonably wonder, if not after €3 billion surpluses, when?".
According to the data presented by the Organization, about 2,500 people in Cyprus live with paraplegia or quadriplegia and depend daily on care, support and independent living services, the cost of which is constantly increasing.
As pointed out by the Organization, the total cost of living in Cyprus has increased by more than 17% in recent years, while in some key categories of expenditure the increases are even greater. In particular, according to Eurostat data, food prices increased by 19.2%, energy prices by 26.1%, while unprocessed food recorded an increase of 31.3%.
Despite these increases, care allowances for people with paraplegia and quadriplegia have remained unchanged since 2019. Specifically, the monthly care allowance for people with paraplegia currently amounts to 400 euros, while for cases of increased needs it is set at €500. Accordingly, the allowance for people with quadriplegia amounts to €900 and reaches €1,100 for cases of increased care needs.
According to the Organization's data, 1,332 people currently receive the basic paraplegia allowance, while 273 people receive the increased allowance. Accordingly, 904 people receive the basic quadriplegia allowance and 224 people receive the increased allowance.
Mr. Lambrianidis argued that the actual cost of care for a person with quadriplegia can exceed €3,000 per month, noting that the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare itself has recognized the need for a substantial revision of benefits in the context of the new legislation.
They are asking for a 30% increase in benefits - "With €11 million, this can be possible"
The Cyprus Paraplegic Organization is calling for an increase of at least 30% in benefits for severe motor disability, paraplegia and quadriplegia, as well as the establishment of an annual adjustment mechanism, so that benefits are in line with the real cost of living.
At the same time, it proposes the increase in financial support for the purchase of a vehicle, the extension of the mobility allowance to people with paraplegia who do not work, as well as the modification of the criteria of the Guaranteed Minimum Income.
According to the data presented by the Organization, the total annual expenditure for benefits for severe motor disability, paraplegia and quadriplegia currently amounts to about 33 million. euros.
''Why are we asking for increases?''
"The care allowance was calculated about 20 years ago.
It was based on the cost of three domestic helpers of the time.
Today the real cost of care is many times higher (salary, food, housing, employer obligations, etc.).
The Deputy Ministry itself recognized costs of more than €3,000 per month.
Employing one (1) Cypriot/European domestic worker costs more than €1,500/month (for 40 out of 168 hours of the week when some people need two or three caregivers to have 24-hour care).
Nevertheless, to date no increase has been approved."
It was based on the cost of three domestic helpers of the time.
Today the real cost of care is many times higher (salary, food, housing, employer obligations, etc.).
The Deputy Ministry itself recognized costs of more than €3,000 per month.
Employing one (1) Cypriot/European domestic worker costs more than €1,500/month (for 40 out of 168 hours of the week when some people need two or three caregivers to have 24-hour care).
Nevertheless, to date no increase has been approved."
