On Monday, 23 November, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Disability Law to improve access to assistant services for persons with disabilities, including children with severe functional limitations.

The amendments are introduced as a part of the legislative package related to the state budget for 2021. 

Starting July 2021, the range of assistant services will also be increased for children with disabilities.  A state-funded accompanying service shall be available for children, aged 5 to 18, who require assistance to travel outside their dwelling, but do not require special care and do not receive assistant services from their local government. An approval by the State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability will be required to receive the service. 

It is planned to provide local government-funded care services for children, aged 5 to 18, who require special care. To receive the service, an approval for the necessity of special care by the State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability, as well as an evaluation by the social services of the local government regarding the need for care will be be required.  

The Ministry of Welfare estimates that next year, the state-funded accompanying service would be required for approximately 600 children with limited mobility, whereas the local government-funded care services would be used by approximately 1000 children with severe functional limitations. 

The amendments also establish that persons with group I or II disabilities will receive assistant services based on the evaluation of the need for assistant services and intensity of support, performed by the social services of the local government. Until now, the service was provided upon the State Medical Commission’s approval. 

Administrative procedures will be simplified in order to improve access to and the effectiveness of assistant services. A monthly amount of assistance hours will be allocated to persons using the service, which they will use at their own discretion. Assistants will no longer be required to provide detailed service provision reports to the social services; instead, the assistant and the recipient of the service will sign a Service Acceptance Certificate once a month. 

Assistant service provider remuneration is to increase starting next year, and, in addition, a uniform questionnaire for adults to determine the need of assistance and the intensity of support will be introduced from 1 July.  

Amendments to the Disability Law will take effect on 1 January 2021. 

Saeima Press Service