BE says the government wanted to anticipate the introduction of a solidarity benefit for older people. PCP hopes this is not a ‘confusing maneuver’

This Thursday, BE felt the government had given early approval to changes to the Senior Citizens’ Solidarity Supplement (CSI), saying they would be approved in Parliament, while the PCP said it hoped it would not be “another confusing manoeuvre”.

Speaking to journalists in Parliament, Bloc de Esquerda (BE) coordinator Mariana Mortagua said that the measures approved this Thursday by the Council of Ministers for the Solidarity Complement for the elderly are “good measures” that the party “defends”. a lot of time”.

Mariana Mortagua emphasized that the exclusion of children’s income from the resource state, the increase in the cost of CSI and the reimbursement of drug costs for recipients of co-payments are all measures that were in the BE election program and expressed confidence that they will be approved by Parliament.

“The Government wanted to anticipate and approve these proposals in the Council of Ministers and we must emphasize their importance: they are important measures in the fight against poverty among older people and thus put an end to the cruel rule that BE has always fought against, according to which children’s income should be taken into account in support of older people,” he said.

In turn, PCP deputy Alfredo Maia expressed the hope that these measures are not “another confusing maneuver of the government” and said that the fundamental thing is to increase pensions and reforms by 7.5% and by at least 70 euros.

Regarding the specific measures approved today by the Council of Ministers, the MP stated that “the Government is less than halfway with the proposals that the PKP has on this issue.”

Alfredo Maia reported that the PKP presented “proposals to guarantee free medicines for people over 65 years of age, for chronically ill people and for people in situations of limited resources”, while the executive branch only today approved strengthening the reimbursement of medicines for beneficiaries CSI.

On the other hand, regarding the increase in the basic value of the CSI by 50 euros, Alfredo Maia emphasized that the government continues to guarantee “payment only after 12 months”, while his party proposes to pay the CSI after 14 months, which would double it. cost in July and August.

Finally, while excluding children’s income from the calculation of access to CSI is positive, Alfredo Maia stated that it is also necessary to “give spouses autonomy in this calculation.”

The Prime Minister announced today that the Government will increase the base value of the Senior Solidarity Supplement (CSI) by €50 from June and will remove children’s income as an exclusion factor. From June, the base value of this benefit will increase from 550 to 600 euros, and only the amounts of pensioners and retirees who claim it will be taken into account.