The Welfare Benefits Management Service (YDEP) informs beneficiaries of the Low Pensioner's Allowance that due to a technical problem that occurred in the YDEP's computer system, the payment of the allowance to a small number of beneficiaries has been affected. The problem was identified yesterday at noon by the Welfare Benefits Management Service and corrective actions were immediately taken.
The affected beneficiaries are informed that the process of paying their allowance has started yesterday and will be completed immediately. In order to better inform the beneficiaries, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment is also proceeding with a personal telephone briefing of all those affected.
The technical problem in the YDEP computer system is also reflected in today's publication in the "Haravgi" newspaper regarding the impact on beneficiaries of the Low Pensioner's Allowance.
The Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare categorically denies the reports about the "small check", i.e. the Low Pensioner's Allowance, being cut due to the increase in Social Insurance Fund (TKA) pensions.
The Government has promptly taken all the necessary actions regarding the absorption of the cost of these increases for the purposes of granting the Low Pensioner's Allowance, and indeed well before the increase granted by the TKA, specifically on December 18, 2024.
Yesterday, the Secretary General of EKYSY - PEO, Costas Skarparis, had a meeting at the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare with the Deputy Minister, the General Director and the Head of the YDEP, and personally received assurances that there is no question of cutting the Low Pensioner Allowance due to the increase in TKA pensions.
During the meeting, Mr. Skarparis also raised requests regarding increases and expansion of limits, which will certainly be discussed in the context of pension reform.
The Government's will to improve the quality of life of senior citizens is strong and is reflected in actions.
In addition to the recent increase in TKA pensions by 5,94% in their basic part, which is the highest since 1996, and the largest in the average of insurable earnings of the last three decades, decisions such as, among others, the absorption of the cost of the increase in the TKA pension and the inclusion of all low-income pensioners in the Special Tariff 08 of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC), constitute a tangible example of its quick reflexes and its ability to implement targeted Social Policy.
