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Authorities estimated around 1,600 individuals providing unofficial care while experiencing reductions in other benefit payments

Approximately 1,600 caregiver subsidy recipients have faced reductions in other social assistance benefits, according to the Secretary of State for Social Security, who also admitted that the figure could be even greater.

Unofficial caregivers face a reduction in benefits alongside 1,600 count by the government
Unofficial caregivers face a reduction in benefits alongside 1,600 count by the government

Authorities estimated around 1,600 individuals providing unofficial care while experiencing reductions in other benefit payments

The National Association of Informal Caregivers and the Citizen Different Movement recently met with Susana Lima, the State Secretary for Social Action and Inclusion, to discuss the cuts in social supports that have been affecting some households with informal caregivers in the United States.

During the meeting, the Government's intention to simplify the regime and legislation of social benefits was addressed. However, no mention was made of the Government's guarantee about AT exempting the IRS subsidy for informal caregivers.

The State Secretary acknowledged the complexity of the rules of social security and social situations, requiring careful study of different implications. The cuts primarily impact the family allowance support, and moving up the income bracket due to the inclusion of the subsidy for informal caregivers as part of the household's income may lead to lower values in certain social supports.

Susana Lima, the State Secretary for Social Security, stated that the cuts affect around 1,600 informal caregivers who moved up income brackets. No legislative changes regarding the exclusion of the subsidy from the calculation of income have been made yet, but the State Secretary is studying the possibility of this as a potential solution.

The regulatory decree that establishes the conditions for recognizing the informal caregiver status and the respective support measures was only fully implemented in the first quarter of 2025. This means that between 2022 and 2025, there were no cuts in social supports for households including an informal caregiver because the regulatory decree was not implemented yet.

The situation may have implications for access to benefits in rents or solidarity social security, as warned by the two associations. The State Secretary is working to maintain the subsidy for those who care for the person being cared for.

However, the Government has not advanced what the potential solution might be or when it will be completed. Social Security is currently investigating if there are more people affected beyond the initial 1,600.

This discussion highlights the ongoing efforts to address the concerns of informal caregivers and ensure they receive the necessary support. The situation will continue to be monitored closely as more information becomes available.

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