Carer's allowances have been raised

The monthly benefits paid by the government to the people taking care of disabled persons have been raised after the Parliament passed relevant amendments in both readings on Friday, July 4, Info-Prim Neo reports. Following the amendments, the attendance allowances for the persons who suffered the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster have been increased from 100 to 300 lei. The benefits paid to the persons who look after children with the severest disability degree (up to 18 years of age), invalids since childhood with the first disability degree (except for those placed in the full care of the government), and vision-impaired people with the first disability degree (attendance allowances) have been raised by 50 lei to 300 lei. The allowances for the invalids since childhood having the third disability degree (100 lei) have been brought to the level of the attendance allowances for the disabled children with the third severity degree (152 lei). In addition, death benefits to the uninsured were raised from 600 to 700 lei. According to the Minister of Social Protection, Family and Child, Galina Balmos, the expenses related to the raise have been provided for by the State Budget. For 2008, it is planned a sum of 51.548 million lei, which is by 15.903 million lei more than in 2007. At present, 45,992 persons receive government benefits. In addition, the Parliament raised the lower limit of child benefits to 200 lei. In 2009 child benefits are expected to increase by 20-25 percent and constitute not less than 250 lei. Expenses for these purposes in 2009 are estimated at 116 million lei.