Legislation
The Personal Assistant service for people with disabilities was established by Articles 32–39 of Law 4837/2021. It is a programme designed to prevent institutionalisation and promote independent living for people with disabilities. It forms part of a broader social-support system intended to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families by enabling independent living and equal participation in all aspects of social, economic, political and cultural life.
The Personal Assistant pilot programme is governed by Joint Ministerial Decisions 28458/2021 (Government Gazette B’ 1427) and 28455/2021 (Government Gazette YODD 247). A total of 2,000 people were to participate. Initially, 1,000 people from Attica were to be selected to receive Personal Assistant services for two years. A further 1,000 people from other regions were to join during 2023. The service was planned to expand nationwide in 2024. Applicants were to be assessed by specialised interdisciplinary committees consisting of a social worker, occupational therapist and psychologist. The assessment was to be individualised, taking into account the applicant’s social circumstances, daily routine, disability and level of functioning. It was to take place at the applicant’s home, on a day and at a time selected by the applicant from the available appointments.
The pilot programme is funded with €41 million from the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Nationwide implementation is to be funded through the NSRF with €320 million.
