Zagreb - Labour and Social Policy Minister Marin Piletić on Tuesday dismissed opposition claims in Parliament that amendments to the Social Welfare Act are being introduced hastily and without expert consultation. He announced a continued and steady increase in social welfare benefits.
"Experts, academics and associations have been involved in drafting these amendments from the outset. They are not being introduced in a rushed or ill-considered manner, or without expert input," Minister Piletić stressed.
He recalled that Prime Minister Andrej Plenković's government set a reform goal in 2020 to increase social welfare benefits for families, single parents and households with children.
"That is exactly what we are doing with this proposal," Piletić said of the amendments, which the government is seeking to pass under an fast-track procedure.
From 1 January this year, the base amount for the guaranteed minimum benefit has increased. Now, the coefficient applied to the base is being raised by 25 percentage points for all categories of households with children.
"In this way, we are generating an increase of 25% to 35% in benefits for these groups this year," Piletić noted.
The amendments will also expand eligibility for the guaranteed minimum benefit to students without parental care, at 50% of the base amount. Additionally, adoptive parents will be entitled to a one-off financial allowance of €1,327, just as biological parents receive for a newborn child.
€50 million allocated for increased benefits and expanded eligibility in 2025
Piletić said that the increased benefits and expanded eligibility will cost slightly more than €50 million this year.
Both the ruling majority and the opposition support the increase in social welfare benefits and the expansion of eligibility, but some MPs voiced concerns.
Jelena Miloš (We Can!) criticised the fact that the guaranteed minimum benefit has only increased by 6.6% this year, despite high inflation and the rising cost of living. She also pointed out that the amendments fail to address the needs of elderly people living alone, whose base percentage has remained unchanged. Additionally, she questioned why homeless individuals in shelters continue to receive only half of the social welfare benefit instead of the full amount.
Martina Vlašić Iljkić (Social Democratic Party) criticised the slow administrative process for approving the inclusive allowance and noted that some beneficiaries have had their rights reduced. "There are individuals who have lost their entitlement to the care and assistance allowance, yet have not been granted the inclusive allowance in its place. Eleven thousand applicants have been denied, while those who are eligible are waiting over a year for a decision," she said.
Dalibor Paus (Istrian Democratic Party) welcomed the increase in the income threshold for home care services but pointed out that residents of Istria County cannot exercise this right due to the Ministry's failure to sign a contract with a licensed service provider.
Minister Piletić responded that no service providers had responded to the Ministry's public call for applications. However, he explained that in areas without licensed providers, home care services are ensured through the “Make a Wish” programme.
MPs from the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) particularly praised the "Make a Wish" programme.
"Almost 60,000 elderly and infirm people receive home care services through this programme. It is an excellent way to provide care for elderly people living alone," HDZ MP Anđelka Salopek said.
Minister Piletić also announced further increases in social welfare benefits before the end of the government's term.
"The base amount for the guaranteed minimum benefit should exceed €200, and the one-off financial allowance for children will also increase, as will the income thresholds for home care services," Piletić said.