Minimum guaranteed income – to whom the benefit is addressed, criteria for receiving it

Member States EU introduced the concept of a “minimum guaranteed income” in order to help citizens “survive”. The benefit is available to social groups who are unemployed (and at the end of unemployment benefits after dismissal). This also applies to Greece.

Minimum guaranteed income EEE (formerly KEA) can be obtained by applying. The payment of benefits to beneficiaries is made after approval by a ministerial decision, based on the budget of the Ministry of Labor for the financial year in order to finance the Organization of Social Benefits and Social Solidarity Αλληλεγγύης, ΟΠΕΚΑ).

The benefit is supposed to “create incentives for workers to return to the labor market.” In 2021, 95.4 million people in the EU, i.e. 21.7% of the population, were at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising cost of living, individuals and households in precarious socio-economic situations have faced even greater challenges. The state assistance measure (minimum income) acts as a social protection system that guarantees a minimum standard of living, as well as the right to “preserve human dignity” at all stages of life. For people without sufficient resources or decent and stable work, access to an adequate minimum income plays an important role in reducing poverty, social exclusion and inequality.

In Greece, the Minimum Guaranteed Income (EEE-KEA) is a social security program provided to more than 200,000 vulnerable households. It is an essential safety net to counter the effects of poverty and avoid social exclusion. The program is based on three pillars:

a) provision of financial assistance in the amount of 200 euros,

b) interaction with social integration services,

c) interaction with services that help the integration (or reintegration) of beneficiaries into the labor market.

Payments of the “Minimum Guaranteed Income” benefit (“Ελάχιστο Εγγυημένο Εισόδημα”), former KEA social solidarity benefit, for beneficiaries who submitted an application before the 30th of each month (and it was approved), are made on the last working day of each subsequent month. Funds are credited to recipients’ bank accounts usually in the afternoon of the previous day. The amount is available at ATM ATMs.

We remind you that the benefit amount is credited in equal shares: to the recipient’s personal account and to a prepaid personal bank card. The total amount of payments for each citizen whose application is approved is equal to or greater than 100 euros per month. A similar amount is credited to the beneficiary’s prepaid card.

The Ministry of Labor reports that a prepaid bank card can be used without restrictions at any retail outlet, including online purchases.

It is also noted that electronic platform EEE remains open to those interested in visiting and submitting new applications for social assistance/benefits this year. A new application is submitted or updated every 6 months.

If you don’t figure out how to submit an application electronically, contact your accountant or accounting department. office.

Additional information is available in Greek on the website opeka.gr (click on the link).

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