Moldova: from 2025, families receiving social assistance will be identified and evaluated on the basis of an individualized approach
The government decided to this effect by approving the amendments to the Regulation on the procedure of establishing and paying social assistance, which will come into force as of January 1, 2025. According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, these amendments are necessary to address the current problems identified in the system of social assistance, such as long-term dependence on this support and difficulties with integration in the labor market for able-bodied recipients. The main change is the introduction of case management, a method that allows for better coordination of social actions. Social workers will be part of interdisciplinary commissions to develop individualized assistance plans tailored to the specific needs of each family. It is planned that this will ensure effective and personalized support for low-income families receiving social assistance. The amended Regulation will include measures to promote the employment of able-bodied people. The aim is to reduce welfare dependency and help families become financially independent. The new provisions aim to identify the reasons that lead to the need for social support and to promote social inclusion through employment. In particular, beneficiaries will be provided with an individualized assistance plan. Provision is made for the appointment of a social worker as a case manager who will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the actions set out in the individualized assistance plan. Thus, within the framework of case management, assistance to low-income families will focus on their individual needs in order to realize the principle of person-centeredness. The aim of the decision is to assess the reasons that lead to the need to seek social assistance and to develop a plan to identify employment measures for families with able-bodied beneficiaries. According to the National Social Insurance Company, at the beginning of 2024, there were more than 21 thousand families registered receiving social assistance. // 24.12.2024 - InfoMarket.
