blind grant — Fifteen blind people in Cyprus have been left without their monthly state grant after the processing of new applications was frozen last September, according to the Pancyprian Organisation of the Blind.
The €382-a-month grant, which has been in place since 1996, is essential for those newly diagnosed with blindness. The organisation has called on the House of Representatives to reject proposed legislation that threatens to abolish this vital support.
In a recent statement, the organisation highlighted the potential short-term savings of €8 million for the government if the grant is eliminated. However, they argue that these funds would be redirected towards benefits for individuals “without serious disabilities,” effectively phasing out support for the island’s 2,050 blind residents.
Blind grant: Impact of Grant Suspension
“The government will send the message that our country is the first in the world where, as if by miracle, blind people have disappeared,” the organisation lamented. This sentiment underscores the deep concern for the welfare of blind individuals who rely on this financial assistance to sustain their livelihoods.
Additionally, since the suspension of new applications, blind residents have also lost a special 19% household electricity discount. The organisation claims this loss contravenes EU regulations and poses an added strain on those already facing a high cost of living.
Concerns Over Legislative Changes
The impending legislation not only threatens the grant but also contains provisions that are said to be downgraded compared to existing laws, specifically targeting those with vision impairments. The Pancyprian Organisation of the Blind emphasised that these changes could revert blind citizens back to the conditions of poverty that prevailed before 1990, when the dedicated grant replaced previous tax reliefs.
“These are consequences of absolute exclusion,” the organisation stated, urging lawmakers to consider the broader implications of their decisions on the 2,050 blind Cypriots before casting their votes.
Calls for Action
In response to the situation, the organisation is planning a demonstration outside the Presidential Palace. They aim to assert their members’ determination to live with dignity and to claim an equal place in Cypriot society. This upcoming protest reflects the growing frustration within the community over perceived governmental neglect.
The suspension of the blind grant has ignited a wave of concern among advocates for disability rights, who fear that such actions could set a dangerous precedent for support structures in place for vulnerable populations. The future of the grant remains uncertain as discussions in the House of Representatives continue.
