The government has moved to revise and increase benefits for residents of mountainous areas, with payments of the new amounts expected to begin in October. The changes affect approximately 10,500 households and a total of 24,000 beneficiaries.
Speaking on the “Alpha Kalimera” program, Charalambos Christofinas, Commissioner for Mountain Communities, stated that the Council of Ministers decided to increase the allowances for all three existing categories. Specifically, for areas at an elevation of 600 to 800 meters, the allowance increases from €175 to €225; for areas from 800 to 1,000 meters, from €225 to €275; and for areas above 1,000 meters, it increases from €260 to €310.
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“It increases by 50 euros in each category,” said Mr. Christofinas, adding that the supplementary allowance for each retiree in the household is also increasing, from €165 to €200.
As he explained, in some communities the process of paying out the benefits based on the previous amounts had already begun. The new decision is expected to cause a slight delay while the necessary adjustments are made so that beneficiaries can ultimately receive the increased amount.
The Commissioner clarified that citizens do not need to submit a new application, noting that the applications already submitted in June and July will be used and that the relevant checks have largely been completed.
According to Mr. Christofinas, the Ministry of the Interior’s goal is to begin paying the revised benefits in October. “The Ministry of the Interior is working to find a way right now—at least by October—to begin paying out the full amount, as approved,” he said.
