Significant reforms and a noticeable reduction in the time it takes to process applications for welfare benefits have been observed recently, according to statements made by Yiannis Vassiliadis, Head of the Benefits Management Service at the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, on the program “Alpha News.” The discussion was prompted by the Parliamentary Audit Committee’s review of the Audit Office’s report for the years 2022–2023.

Mr. Vassiliadis emphasized that the significant delays of the past have been substantially reduced thanks to the introduction of new procedures. “In 2024, we managed to bring it down to under 90 days, and from 2025 to the present, it has been under 60 calendar days,” he noted.

A key factor in this was the creation of eight service centers across Cyprus, where citizens submit their complete applications, which are entered into the system the same day, eliminating the old, time-consuming postal process that used to be a hassle for people.

Measures Against… Gambling

The debate over the squandering of public funds by a segment of recipients of the Minimum Guaranteed Income (MGI), who are alleged to spend their benefits at casinos and betting agencies immediately after receiving them. Mr. Vassiliadis confirmed that the Deputy Ministry is working on measures to address the issue.

“We are in consultation with the relevant committee that oversees casinos and are awaiting authorization from the Data Protection Commissioner so that there can be an interface between the Registry… so that recipients of the Social Assistance Program are not allowed to visit casinos,” he emphasized. At the same time, he noted that the introduction of a targeted “social card” for ad hoc benefits, which would restrict the use of funds exclusively to basic needs (e.g., at supermarkets), excluding purchases of alcohol and tobacco.

In addition, the Director referred to the area of social intervention and integration, noting that a special task force to activate EEE beneficiaries has been in operation since March 2024. This team has already made a significant number of referrals to the public employment service to help beneficiaries find work, to entrepreneurship programs, as well as to Greek language courses for immigrant beneficiaries.

In closing, Mr. Vassiliadis acknowledged the need to further strengthen the service, explaining that a request has already been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for a comprehensive organizational chart with permanent staff, as the service is currently staffed primarily by fixed-term contracts.

The goal of this staffing initiative is to further expand service locations so that the agency is closer to the public. At the same time, two new computerized systems are currently under development that will integrate the databases, with the aim of continuous improvement and the immediate, effective fulfillment of citizens’ needs.