Stycora Blind Sheet is another income support measure

The government’s efforts to improve the incomes of most families, families affected by the sharp increase in inflation and precision, are moving on four axes.

Three of the four interventions relate, in principle, to an increase in pensions by 7.75% which will already be seen over the next week with the February payments, and to the increase in the minimum wage, from April 1, with the related measures already in place. , while the Market Pass is just around the corner.

It is possible that another intervention will be added to all of the above, which was confirmed by the Minister of Finance Christos Staikouras Which will come from the additional fiscal space that is likely to be created in the coming period.

However, final decisions on the latter are expected in mid-March and after publication of data on the revenue trajectory, as well as 2022 growth and implementation will come shortly before Easter.

Let’s see in detail what these measures are, which will begin to be implemented next week and are estimated to lead to some extent in increasing disposable income:

Pensions increase

Retirees who are among the 1.72 million insured will see new benefits increases starting this month. It has been confirmed that the increase paid in January (for February pensions) will be double, as they will retroactively receive the increase in January pensions. It should be noted that the vast majority of retirees will see increases over the next week, as pensions are paid.

less pay

The relevant consultation procedures among the social partners have already started, and based on the timetable, the Minister of Labor will announce his proposal in mid-March. The information wants the new minimum wage to be in the region of 751 euros, while some do not exclude it from rising to 780 euros, to fully cover inflation, at the levels set in 2022.

shopping card

Applications for the relevant bonus will start at the beginning of next month and payable at the end of February. The highest amount a family will receive will be 600€ per semester and the lowest 132€ (i.e. from 22 to 100€ per month). The number of beneficiaries of this new measure will be about 8.4 million families, which is equivalent to 85% of the total. The monthly purchase limit for one person is €220. An amount increased by an additional €100 for each other member and up to €1,000 for purchases. This money will be credited to an electronic card, such as a fuel card, while those who wish will be able to credit a bank account, but in this case 80% of the amount each household is entitled to will be credited.

additional intervention

There is also a possibility that there will be another intervention to support the community in the coming period. This will depend on the fiscal space that will emerge, on the one hand, from a better path for the economy and revenues, but also from lower natural gas and electricity prices, below the levels on which the budget was determined. painted.

As Finance Minister Christos Staikouras recently noted “If there is a fiscal space and as long as a fiscal space is created, it will really go back to society as a whole, with social criteria, as we have proven so far“, noting that”As the Greek economy moves today, fiscal space will be created in 2023».