The Cyprus Paraplegic Organisation has called for an immediate 30% increase in care allowances for individuals with paraplegia and tetraplegia, highlighting that these benefits have remained unchanged since 2019 despite a sharp rise in the cost of living. At a recent press conference, the Organisation’s president, Dimitris Lambrinidis, emphasized the discrepancy between economic growth and stagnant social welfare policies.

Currently, around 2,500 people in Cyprus live with paraplegia or tetraplegia and rely on wheelchairs daily. The basic care allowance stands at €400 to €500 for paraplegia sufferers and €900 to €1,100 for those with tetraplegia. However, Lambrinidis noted that the real monthly cost of care for tetraplegia patients exceeds €3,000, far outpacing available allowances.

In addition to the increase, the Organisation demands an annual cost-of-living adjustment, enhanced financial assistance for vehicle purchases, extensions to mobility allowances, and amendments to income rules affecting disability benefits. They stress that immediate reform is necessary for true equality and dignity for disabled individuals in Cyprus.