Market Pass: Who needs to reapply

The provision of monthly financial assistance is extended for three months (until October 2023) to cover part of the increased household expenses due to rising Market Pass inflation.

Applications will be considered based on 2022 income, i.e. new tax returns. The amount of assistance per household is 10% of the monthly purchase amount, which is 220 euros for a household with one member plus 100 euros for each additional member, up to 1000 euros. Thus, the assistance is from 22 to 100 euros per month (from 66 to 300 euros for three months of the extension of the Market Pass program).

Financial assistance is tax-free, non-assignable, non-confiscable, non-deductible, non-deductible against confirmed debts owed to the state, insurance funds or banks, and is not taken into account as income when paying (calculating) any social benefits.

The same criteria remain for income (up to €16,000 for singles, €24,000 for married plus €5,000 for each child after the first) and assets (up to €250,000 for singles, €400,000 for married).

Assistance is provided on a digital debit card or bank account. If the recipient chooses a digital card, the assistance can be used for shopping at grocery stores and markets. Besides digital debit card remains valid until December 31, 2023. If the beneficiary chooses credited to a bank account, he will receive 80% of the amount of assistancewhich can be used without restrictions.

Who should reapply? Clarification was provided by Deputy Finance Minister Haris Theoharis, who stated that in order to receive the benefit, a 2022 income tax return must be filed, according to which final payrolls will also be issued. As Mr Theoharis mentioned, the critical deadline will be end date set for July 31, 2023so by that time the beneficiaries must have filed a tax return so that the status of their application can be calculated and verified.

As to whether who should apply and who should notMr. Theoharis explained that for the convenience of citizens those who applied last February won’t have to do it again. However, the vouchers.gov.gr platform will reopen for those who were previously denied: either they missed the application deadline or because their status did not meet the income limit or other criteria.

Regarding the payment of the first installment, as well as what happens in the event of an extension of tax returns, Mr. Theoharis replied: “It would be good not to extend the deadline for filing tax returns. And rightly so, because then Market Pass payments could be made as early as possible (do not delay payment).” As for the date of the first payment, it is scheduled “about the end of August or even a few days later.” The Minister stressed: “This means that we must receive the results of tax returns before August 1.”

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