Georgian Gov’t offers greater social support to vulnerable population
Tweet 
Share
The Government of Georgia has revealed how it plans to tackle major social issues and better support the country’s vulnerable population.
Today authorities outlined new social subsidies and a pension increase for disabled persons and socially underprivileged citizens, supported by the Health and Social Protection Ministry and Tbilisi City Hall.
Disabled children and adults with "marked disabilities” will have their monthly benefits increased by 60 GEL to a total of 160 GEL as part of the plan, while socially underprivileged citizens of Tbilisi will have part of their electricity bills subsidised by Tbilisi City Hall, to combat the recent increase in power bill costs.
Deputy Health and Social Protection Minister Zaza Sopromadze told reporters the benefits increase would assist more than 9,000 children and 24,457 adults.
Sopromadze noted the increase of benefits – a pledge first made by the Government several months ago – would require 3,100,000 GEL from the state budget. He added this sum would be gathered "before the year’s end”.
Georgia is the fourth country in the world to have implemented free SMS and video-messaging services for deaf people to contact the country’s emergency services.
A new centre is being built in Tbilisi to help and support people with disabilities become more engaged in social activities.
The basic state pension is set to rise by 10 GEL in September next year for hundreds of thousands of Georgia’s oldest residents, lifting it from 150 GEL to 160 Gel.
Georgia is raising awareness and promoting social acceptance of people with disabilities by improving access to public services.
As the world marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Georgia’s two top officials revealed the importance of raising awareness of people with disabilities and the need to accept their valuable role in society.
Tbilisi City Hall is launching a new bus service that will safely transport disabled youth to school on specially equipped minibuses.
Pension and social packages have increased starting from today. 114,000 people with disabilities and pensioners will receive the increased social package by 20 GEL [$6.18].