4 PASS benefits, for which billions were allocated, and "greed inflation"

Addressing the inflation problem through PASS and bonus policies was the government’s choice in previous years. And now the authorities have directed their efforts against speculation and the desire for profit, which, of course, did not arise overnight.

Millions of citizens, from 2020 to the present day, indulged in the “hunt for benefits”, various kinds of “passes” (MARKET Pass), emergency assistance, as well as everything else that could cover at least part of the significant losses that they suffered.

Inflation of speculation and greed
The government belatedly decided to strike precisely to the very core of the problem. Inflation of greed (Αισχροκέρδεια και πληθωρισμός απληστίας), a new term introduced into our lives by modern economists, identified specific goals. Both the measures taken and the fines imposed became part of everyday life.

However, the various subsidy methods that have been implemented in recent years (and are still ongoing) can in no way compensate for the losses that households have suffered due to rising prices for products and services.

In 2022, along with inflation Various passes have entered the lives of millions of households, i.e. emergency state benefits aimed at covering at least part of the losses, which the citizens suffered. The sharp increase in tariffs for electricity, fuel and food has led the government apparatus to announce one subsidy after another.

Power PASS
Soaring energy prices, which peaked in the months leading up to the war in Ukraine, brought the Power Pass into Greek life. As a result, up to €600 has been returned to millions of households for the period from 1 December 2021 to 31 May 2022. In fact, this PASS was extended into June, covering even more households. The total expenditure of the state budget to cover part of the increase in the cost of electricity consumption amounted to 295.6 million euros.

Fuel Pass
In April 2022, approximately 3,000,000 car owners and motorcyclists applied for the Fuel Pass, a measure to support individuals and self-employed people in the fight against rising fuel costs. The program budget was 200 million euros. Beneficiaries were any individuals, including freelancers, who are tax residents of Greece with a declared family income in the 2020 tax year of up to 30,000 euros, in order to contribute to covering the costs of motor fuel consumption for April, May and June 2022.

The subsidy for car owners on the mainland was 40 euros, on the islands – 50 euros, and for car owners – 30 and 35 euros, respectively. In fact, those who used the intangible digital card received an additional subsidy of 5 euros for the specified quarter.

However, fuel prices at that time in most cases exceeded 2.2 euros per liter, and the government decided to introduce Fuel Pass 2. Essentially, it allowed car and motorcycle owners to receive, for one more quarter (and final one), a slightly larger subsidy than the previous year (April to June). For the period from June to September, the subsidy for car owners was 65 euros on the mainland and 85 euros on the islands.

At the same time, for car owners the amount in this quarter was 45 euros on the mainland and 55 euros on the islands. It is noted that an increased subsidy of 15 euros was applied to Fuel Pass 2 for those who used an intangible digital card.

Rising food prices and Market Pass
In the two months from February to March 2023, more than 2.3 million households applied on the gov.gr platform to receive, depending on their marital status, a monthly subsidy ranging from 22 to 100 euros for the period from February to July 2023 for the purchase of agricultural crops types of products from supermarkets, as well as in grocery, meat, confectionery, dairy, bakeries, fishmongers, street markets, etc.

However, due to the fact that prices were rising at an even higher rate (especially in the food sector), it was decided to give an additional three-month extension of the measure until the end of October. In total, beneficiaries received approximately 1 billion euros.

Residents of flood-affected areas (Thessaly, etc.), who are beneficiaries, will also receive benefits for November and December 2023. The process will be automatic and with the same criteria and conditions. Payment was made on December 20, and for those who submitted new applications, payment will be made later.

It is noted that over the two years 2022-2023, food prices showed a total increase of approximately 25%!

Youth Pass
In December 2023, 18- and 19-year-olds who applied after receiving an AFM payer number received government assistance in the amount of €150 on their non-material digital card. Total Each year, approximately 200,000 young men and women who meet the above age limits are eligible to participate in the program.

This amount can be used by enterprises operating in the fields of culture, tourism and transport.

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