Updating the pension for people with disabilities is once again at the center of social policies in Portugal, with the Government announcing an increase in support in 2026. The measure covers the Social Benefit for Inclusion (PSI) and translates into an increase in the amounts paid, with a direct impact on the pension of thousands of beneficiaries.
Known as PSI, this benefit will register an overall increase of 2.8% throughout 2026. The announcement was made by the Secretary of State for Social Security, Filipa Lima, and follows the update of the Social Support Index.
This financial support is aimed at people with disabilities in Portugal and its main objective is to promote autonomy, inclusion and social participation. PSI seeks to offset the increased costs associated with disability and improve the quality of life of beneficiaries, according to the specialized economics portal Ekonomista.
The provision is structured into two distinct components. There is a base component, allocated to all eligible beneficiaries, and a supplement aimed at situations of greater economic fragility.
PSI base component update
The base component of the PSI follows the annual evolution of the Social Support Index. This year, the IAS recorded an increase of 2.8%, reflecting the evolution of inflation and economic growth. This mechanism aims to ensure that the purchasing power of people with disabilities is not affected by the rise in the cost of living, maintaining the social protection function of the support.
With this update, the IAS goes from 522.50 euros to 537.13 euros. This value serves as a reference for calculating various social supports, including the base component of the PSI.
Significant reinforcement in the benefit supplement
The most significant change planned for this year concerns the PSI supplement, aimed at beneficiaries in situations of greater economic need. This monthly amount will increase by 105 euros. The supplement thus goes from 565 euros to 670 euros per month, representing a significant increase in the financial support given to people with disabilities in situations of poverty.
In annual terms, the reference value of the supplement now reaches 8,040 euros, translating into a relevant increase in disposable income for the most vulnerable beneficiaries, according to the same source.
Comparison to the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly (CSI)
As explained by the Secretary of State for Social Security, this increase results from the approval of legislation that equates the PSI supplement to the value of the CSI, which was also updated to 670 euros per month this year, reflecting a political option to harmonize social support aimed at people in situations of economic fragility.
This equivalence is seen as a recognition of the need to guarantee decent living conditions, regardless of age, whenever there are situations of poverty or social exclusion.
The ordinance that formalizes these updates is in the approval phase, but the Government has already confirmed that it will have retroactive effects to this month. This retroactivity ensures that beneficiaries do not lose any amount to which they are entitled, even if the administrative process is only completed later.
As soon as the ordinance is published, the updated amounts will be paid, including any differences accumulated since the beginning of the year, according to the source previously cited.
The PSI is granted upon application to Social Security and is subject to criteria related to the degree of disability, age and resource status of the household, in accordance with .
The request can be made in person at Social Security services or through available digital channels, facilitating access to support.
For current beneficiaries, the update of values must be processed automatically. Even so, it is advisable to follow the notifications and contact Social Security in case of doubts or irregularities.
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