PROVISIONS FOR THE BLIND

The following is a list of Basic Rights-Benefits to be claimed by blind people by the greek state:

For more relevant information, please contact the Social Services Department of our association (210-9415222).

FINANCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAM

1.As Beneficiaries are considered the persons judged by the competent health committee to have a visual disability - visual impairment with a disability rate of 80% or more.

2. Beneficiary Categories:

a. Employees in the public or private sector or private operators if they are directly insured for their work in the relevant insurance organization (Unified Social Security Institution (EFKA).

b. Pensioners of Insurance Organizations (Unified Social Security Institution EFKA).

c. Unemployed uninsured.

d. Unemployed directly insured, who have been fired from their job, but retain for a specific period the right to health care by their insurance organization.

e. Indirectly insured.

f. Graduates of Higher education Ιnstitutions and Universities ofGreece or abroad, regardless of whether they work or not.

g. Working students of Higher Education Institutions and universities of the country, until they complete the 25th year of their age.

h. Non-working students of Higher and Higher Education Institutions of the country until they reach their 25th year of age.

i. Working or trainee Lawyers.

j. University level scientists, who practice their science.

3. Conditions for receiving the allowance:

a. Not to be receiving financial support for the same condition-impairment from another organization of Greece or abroad, equal to or greater than the one provided in each case. In case they receive less, they are granted the difference.

 b. Not to be away from the country for a period longer than six (6) months.

4. Amount of monthly allowance per category of beneficiaries:

a) Employees, pensioners 362 €

b) Unemployed uninsured / unemployed directly insured / indirectly insured / non-working students 697 €

c) Working students 362 €

d) Graduate employees 362 €

e) Working or trainee Lawyers 697 €

f) University level scientists, who practice their science 697 €

-NOTE: The allowance given to the blind pensioners by their social security institution is an amount added to their pension and as a result, the persons of interest can be included in the program of financial assistance for the visually impaired, receiving the full amount provided each time.

Exceptions are those who receive an allowance due to blindness from the “Oiko Nautou”, the Health insurance association for sailors, which if it is equal to or greater than the one to be provided, they are not entitled to the welfare disability benefit of the vision disability. In case they receive less, the difference is granted to them. For example, if a beneficiary receives 205 euros from the above mentioned association, he will be granted with 157 euros by the OPEKA association so as to reach the amount of 362 euros.

5. Θεσμικό πλαίσιο

1. Τα αρ. 1, 2 Ν. 1904/1951 (Α 212).

2. Το αρθ. 8 του ν. 4331/2015 (Α΄69)

3. Η αριθ. Δ29α/Φ.32/Γ.Π.οικ.10806/529/2013 (Β 1189 ΄) κοινή υπουργική απόφαση των Υπουργών Οικονομικών – Εργασίας, Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης και Πρόνοιας, όπως αντικαταστάθηκε με το άρθρο 8 του ν.4331/2015

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

1. The unemployed uninsured, should submit a relevant certificate by the Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) and in case of self-employed ones, they should also submit an additional certificate of cessation of work by the competent Tax Authority Office.

2. The Lawyers who are proven to practice their profession as well as the trainee lawyers, should submit a certificate of registration in the Bar Association or a photocopy of a Bar ID card.

3. University-level scientists who work on their science field, should submit a copy of their degree and a certificate of employment from the employment body (employer), whereas in the case of self-employed persons, they should submit a Declaration of/on Commencement of Business/Activity

BENEFICIARY CATEGORIES

a. Greek Citizens -the ID card is required.

b. Nationals of Member States of the European Union (EU). The presentation of an "EU citizen registration certificate" is required.

c. Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the countries included in the ratified by the Decree-law no 4017/1959 (Government Gazette A 246) European Convention- -A "valid residence permit" is required.

d. Recognized refugees residing permanently in Greece, whose residence status in Greece is governed by the provisions of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (Decree-Law 3989/1959, Government Gazette A 201), as amended by the Protocol of New York of 1967 for the Refugee Regime (Law 389/1968, Government Gazette A 125)- A "Certificate of Recognized Refugee" is required.

e. Third-country nationals- members of the family of a Greek citizen or EU citizen. in force"- It is required to present valid "residence permit of a family member of a Greek citizen or EU citizen.

f. Third-country nationals entitled to international protection status- A "Certificate of internationally recognized protection" is required.

g. Third-country nationals who have been granted a residence permit for humanitarian reasons- A "residence permit for humanitarian reasons" is required.

h. Citizens of countries that have signed a relevant transnational agreement with our country, ratified by law- -A "valid residence permit" is required.

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION FOR WELFARE BENEFIT-FREQUENTLY

ASKED QUESTIONS:

How do I apply for the allowance?

The application is submitted through an electronic platform by authorized employees of the Community Centers of the Municipalities

If my application is accepted, what procedure is followed?

If the application is accepted, a disability file is created and the applicant is provided with a registration KEPA number. Then the person of interest is referred to the doctor in charge for electronic completion of the referral file to KEPA. With the finalization of the file, the KEPA is informed and the examination of the KEPA System is planned.

If my disability is certified, what will be the progress of my application?

 The result of the applicant's disability certification (first or second degree) after the lapse of 10 days from the day of notification of the decision of the health committee of KEPA is sent electronically from the information system of KEPA to the corresponding system of OPEKA.

The complete electronic procedure mentioned above is applied in the peripheral units of the country (Attiki, Thessaloniki, Achaia).

What are the supporting documents I need to provide?

The required documents are the following:

1.AMKA document (Social Security Number)

2. Demonstration of ID card / passport

3. In case of application by third parties (parent, representative, attorney, legal aid, separated parents taking care of the children, commissioner of orphaned children) in addition to the above supporting documents, there are further legal documents to be submitted, such as Family Status Certificate and proof of identification in case of a minor child.

4. Photocopy of the first page of the deposit account book of a bank or ELTA (Ηellenic Posts) (IBAN) with beneficiary or co-beneficiary the beneficiary of the welfare benefit.

5. Citizens of other countries must provide the necessary documents to obtain legal residence in the country

6. Expatriates must submit a copy of the Special Expatriate Card.

7. In case of extension of the granting of welfare disability, due to the expiration of the previous official decision of the health committee, the presentation of the previous decision of the committee is required.

Where should I provide the supporting documents?

The supporting documents must be submitted by the applicant to the authorized officials of the Community Centers at the stage of completing the online application platform.

The information has been retrieved from: www.opeka.gr

EXEMPTION FROM CIRCULATION TAXES

Τhe persons of interest should approach the VAT-Vehicle Department of the, Tax Authority where they belong in order to submit the following:

  • Official Commitee decision by the KE.P.A. (Disability Certification Center) stating that there is visual impairment of 80% or more, which means that you are beneficiary of the benefits of article 16 of Law 1798/88
  • A solemn declaration document stating that "You have no other vehicle for which you have been exempted"
  • A solemn declaration document stating that you have not appealed to a secondary KE.P.A. (Disability Certification Center) health Committee.
  • Documents such as electricity or water bill
  • ID and photocopy of ID
  • Vehicle Registration Certificate (up to 1650cc)
  • Completed application form distributed by the agency

Attention: In many cases the documents to be submitted might be differentiated per case.

EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION FEES

In this case the persons of interest should gather the following documents:

  • Application to the competent customs authority requesting exemption from the registration fee based on the Law 1798/88.
  • Solemn Declaration document stating a) that you have not received another vehicle with exemption from registration fees b) You do not have another vehicle with registration fee c) You have not appealed to a secondary KE.P.A. (Disability Certification Center) health Committee.
  • Official decision by the KE.P.A. (Disability Certification Center) stating that you are beneficiary of the benefits of the article 16 of Law 1798/88.

Attention: In many cases the documents to be submitted might be differentiated per case.

DISABLED PARKING TICKET

The application is submitted to the Ministry of Transport with the following required documents:

  • Photocopy of ID
  • Vehicle Registration Certificate
  • Solemn Declaration document stating that "The use of the ticket is made exclusively to meet the needs of the disabled"
  • 2 color photos
  • Official decision by the KE.P.A. (Disability Certification Center) stating that you are beneficiary of the benefits of the article 16 of Law 1798/88.

Attention: In many cases the documents to be submitted might be differentiated per case.

DISABLED PARKING SPACE

The persons of interest should contact the Municipality of residence or occupation with the following required documents:

  • Application and solemn declaration document (distributed by the agency)
  • Disabled Parking ticket
  • Official decision by the KE.P.A. (Disability Certification Center) stating that you are beneficiary of the benefits of the article 16 of Law 1798/88.
  • Certificate of permanent residence (such as electricity or water bill, Lease contract e.t.c.)
  • If the parking spot is below your working place, you need a relevant employer's certificate or registered office.

Attention: In many cases the documents to be submitted might be differentiated per case.

DISCOUNT ON ELECTRICITY BILLS

The disabled people are required to submit an application to IDIKA SA. in order to be included to the Social Residential Tariff. For the exemption from the municipal charges due to the impairment, the application is submitted to the municipality of residence. The provision of the exemption is at the sole discretion of the respective municipality.