Only about three in every 10 informal carers, out of nearly 16,000 eligible, receive the subsidy, which the National Association of Informal Carers says represents a “small proportion of people”.
September 6 marks four years since the Assembly of the Republic approved the Informal Carer Statute (ECI), and according to data sent to Lusa by the Social Security Institute (ISS), “almost 16 thousand people” are covered by the law. regulation recorded until early August.
On the other hand, regarding carers who were eligible to receive the corresponding subsidy, ISS stated that “around 5,200 were provided”, meaning that just over 30% were eligible to receive financial support from the government, which in the average is about 303.30 euros per month.
According to the vice president of the National Association of Informal Caregivers (ANCI), these 5,200 caregivers represent a “minuscule portion of the population,” considering that “only caregivers” [cuidadores] is that they may be eligible for a subsidy” and depending on family income.
To be eligible for ECI, the caregiver must be married to or be a family member (up to 4th degree in direct or collateral line) of the person being cared for, but the subsidy is only available to those who are the primary non-legal caregiver. carers. , that is, lives with the person being cared for, provides care on a permanent basis, does not have a paid professional activity and does not receive payment for the care he provides.
According to Maria Anjos Catapirra, this is one of the rules that should be changed because “there are many caregivers who are not family members of the person being cared for, continue to provide care and have no rights.”
“We also don’t want [a atribuição do subsídio] remain dependent on family income because, essentially, we work 24 hours a day,” he said.
“And it also doesn’t make sense that pensioners, who make up the majority of informal carers, are no longer entitled to [ao subsídio] simply because they already have reform,” he added.
According to Maria Anjos Catapirra, “at least these three measures are needed to take action” and she wonders whether the government realizes that a significant proportion of the people they care about are in the 55 to 65 age group.
Regarding the almost 16 thousand people with RCT, the person in charge stated that “this is about 10% of people who may ultimately ask for recognition”, taking into account that, she explained, there is only a right to recognition as an informal person. carer. if the person being cared for receives a dependency allowance or assistance from a third party.
If the calculation were based on the estimated total number of caregivers, Maria Anjos Catapirra said 16,000 would be just 2%.
According to the ANCI vice-president, “the guardianship has simply neglected the informal guardians at this point,” noting that the monitoring committee set up in November 2022 to monitor and evaluate the implementation of ECI rules is largely supported by the private sector. Institutions for Social Solidarity (IPSS), “which account for 35% of health care in this country.”
“If we informal carers, who represent 65% of care in this country, decide not to provide care, I would like to see what the rulers will do,” he asked.
Maria Anjos Catapirra said she hopes the commission will take more proactive action on caregiving, but said she fears that won’t happen as only ANCI, Associação Trabalhadores Portugal and Alzheimer Portugal represent caregivers on the panel.
He criticized that, despite legislation being passed, measures have yet to be implemented, citing as examples the provision of a referral health worker, access to home care or carer respite, which this year, according to ISS, was only 53 people used it.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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