Government finalizes decree to improve childcare, widowhood and disability benefits

The Spanish government will approve a package of measures this Tuesday aimed at expanding or improving social benefits, according to multiple reports. These measures include enhancements for individuals with disabilities related to menopause, victims of gender-based violence, and improvements to certain pensions such as those for widows. According to sources confirmed by RTVE, these measures will need to be validated within a month by the permanent committee of the Congress of Deputies, as stated by officials from the Ministry of Social Security. Specifically, the decree approved this Tuesday expands temporary disability coverage for women suffering from conditions associated with menopause. Victims of gender-based violence will receive a benefit of 60 percent of the regulatory base until the 20th day of absence and 75 percent thereafter. Employers will pay the salary on the day of absence, while the Social Security system will take over from that point onward, according to the government. Other improved benefits include provisions for parents caring for children with cancer or serious illnesses, allowing both parents to receive the benefit alternately or simultaneously. In cases of greater vulnerability, the benefit can extend beyond the age of 26 if the affected person has a dependency level III or severe disability. The decree also expands access to widow's pensions for couples living together, stating that the existence of common children will suffice to prove the factual relationship for accessing this benefit, which currently causes problems. Additionally, the decree allows for the review of denied applications within the next 12 months. Extraordinary pensions resulting from acts of terrorism will also see improvements, ensuring none fall below the equivalent of two minimum wages (2,442 euros), a 36 percent increase compared to the current amount, which had become outdated. Protection for orphans of gender-based violence is also enhanced, increasing both contributory benefits with a floor of twice the interprofessional minimum wage (SMI) and non-contributory benefits that can reach up to twice that minimum wage. Lastly, the Fund for Guaranteeing Child Support Payments is improved, tripling the maximum advance per beneficiary (from 100 to 300 euros) and its duration, to protect minors when a parent fails to meet their responsibilities. Sources from the Moncloa Palace emphasize that these measures are not merely symbolic gestures but part of the government’s commitment to governance, contrasting with potential actions by the opposition party, the PP. They argue that the government will continue to govern and bring forward measures that exemplify their approach, differentiating themselves from what the PP might do. In addition, during an event at the Moncloa Palace, where the “Declaration on the Draft Royal Decree on the Statute of University Students” was signed, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the Council of Ministers would also approve a package of 45 million euros to promote university residences. This initiative aims to create approximately 2,000 new spots in public universities nationwide in the initial phase.