Disability reform extends to 10,000 more beneficiaries
More than 10,000 additional people are expected to qualify for disability benefits under revised legislation currently under review by the House labour committee, with officials aiming for approval before the end of the parliamentary term in early April.
The discussion, held on Friday, intends to overhaul the existing framework governing support for people with disabilities.
The proposed changes seek to address exclusions affecting individuals with severe disabilities who were previously ineligible due to links between benefits and the minimum guaranteed income, as well as income thresholds that included spouses’ earnings or limited employment.
Committee chair and Akel MP Andreas Kafkalias said the objective remains “to seeking improvements to a series of issues that have been submitted in the previous period”.
He confirmed that further deliberation is scheduled, adding that “we have work ahead of us, the goal remains to bring the bills to the plenary in this parliamentary period”.
The final plenary session is scheduled for next Thursday on April 2, although an extension to April 6 remains possible.
“We want to take advantage of every opportunity and it is our obligation to seek improvements in the text,” Kafkalias affirmed, while acknowledging that “for bills of this nature, the executive branch has the final say”.
Diko MP Andreas Apostolou described the reform as a significant step forward, while pointing to financial considerations that may shape its final form.
“We are taking a big step with this legislation,” he said, adding that continued engagement with the executive is required “so that in the supplementary and in the 2027 budgets there are even more increased funds”.
He indicated that the primary effect of the amendments will be the expansion of eligibility.
Dipa MP George Penintaex outlined the projected scale of the changes, stating that “today 15,000 people with disabilities receive benefits, while with the new legislation more than 10,000 new beneficiaries will benefit, regardless of financial criteria”.
He added that approximately 5,500 of these are expected to receive personal assistance and home care support by the end of 2028.
Penintaex said the reform “brings together the individual different pieces of legislation and will eliminate discrimination among people with disabilities”.
In addition to broadening eligibility, the legislation increases to several forms of financial support.
These include higher subsidies for vehicle purchases, an increased monthly transportation allowance and adjustments to other recurring benefits.