50% increase in payment, more support for children with disabilities

Children with disabilities and their caregivers will receive some more money from next year.

The Ministry of Health and Social Protection requests that the 2026 budget include 50% more money for this category: "Increase in payments for children with disabilities by 50% for 10,252 children and their 3,527 caregivers (with a current average of 12,200 lek/month to 18,300 lek/month). The effect of this change is 1 billion lek."

But the benefits do not end there. The Ministry has also proposed the recognition of the contributory period for 13,100 caregivers of persons with disabilities, based on the expected minimum wage for 2026, which is 50 thousand lek. This means that the years they have spent caring for their children or family members will count towards the old-age pension: “The recognition of the contributory period for about 13,100 caregivers of persons with disabilities above the expected minimum wage of 50,000 lek with a financial effect of 2.2 billion lek, while the current ceilings will cover the revision of the contribution rate for about 5,500 caregivers of paraplegic and tetraplegic invalids after the change in the minimum wage in January 2026.”

These measures, according to the Ministry, do not require additional funds beyond the current budgetary ceilings. But for hundreds of families in need, they can translate into concrete relief from the economic burden and a belated recognition of the silent work they do every day. (A2 Televizion)