The Government has once again moved forward with new developments on a measure that had already been announced previously and which promises to change the functioning of various social supports in Portugal. The initiative is part of a broader set of reforms in the social protection system.
According to , the new benefit aims to simplify access to support and reduce the current complexity, marked by multiple rules and different eligibility criteria. The measure has been prepared over the last few months. The diploma is at an advanced stage, and is being circulated by the Government before going to parliamentary discussion.
New provision will combine several supports into one
The Single Social Benefit, known as PSU, should add 13 supports from the solidarity subsystem. These include the Social Insertion Income, one of the main instruments to support families in vulnerable situations.
The measure excludes, however, the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly, which must remain an autonomous benefit. This distinction was highlighted during the process of presenting the details. The objective is to concentrate various supports into a single mechanism, making the system simpler and, in theory, more accessible for beneficiaries.
Simplification and less bureaucracy in access
One of the Government’s main arguments for this change is the need to reduce bureaucracy. Currently, access to social support involves different processes, rules and assessments.
With the new provision, the aim is to harmonize access conditions, especially with regard to resource conditions. The idea is to create more uniform criteria and facilitate order management. Furthermore, the measure seeks to improve the coverage and effectiveness of the system, adjusting support to the real needs of beneficiaries.
Work incentive is one of the new features
Among the planned changes is the introduction of a work incentive component. The objective is to prevent an increase in income from automatically leading to a loss of social support. In practice, this means that whoever starts earning more will be able to maintain part of the support for a period, reducing the impact of the transition to the job market.
This measure aims to respond to frequent criticism of the current system, which may discourage professional progression in certain cases.
There will be compensation for some beneficiaries
Another new feature is the introduction of a participation component in social solidarity activities. This measure should apply to beneficiaries of working age. The idea is to associate support with a form of social involvement, functioning as a counterpart to receiving the benefit.
This model is already used in some programs and can now be expanded within the scope of the new provision.
Transition should be gradual
The Government foresees a transition period for the implementation of the PSU, with the aim of protecting current beneficiaries. The intention is to avoid sudden losses in income during the transition to the new system.
The transition rules must be defined in the diploma, ensuring that the change is made progressively. This point is considered essential to ensure stability in support for families.
When can the measure be advanced?
Regarding the calendar, the Executive indicates that the diploma should be sent soon to the Assembly of the Republic. The legislative process will be decisive in defining the final deadlines. The measure is included in the Recovery and Resilience Plan, which implies the achievement of specific goals.
According to the Government, the objective is to implement this reform in the coming months, although implementation depends on political approval.
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