Empowering Disabled Individuals: Armenia's Upgraded Caregiver Program Proposal

The proposal to offer caregiver services to individuals with disabilities starting January 1, 2024, has been presented by Minister Narek Mkrtchyan of Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. He highlighted plans to broaden the list of beneficiaries eligible for the caregiver program catering to persons with disabilities. While the service begins in Armenia on January 1, a pilot program for the caregiver service had been underway in 2023.

Mkrtchyan recommended specific changes to ensure the effective execution of the program, emphasizing its objective to assist individuals with disabilities in leading independent lives and being an active part of their communities.

Under the previous decision, only individuals facing significant functional limitations related to mobility, vision, and mental health, and whose families were registered in the family insecurity assessment system with an insecurity score higher than 10, were eligible for services. With this proposal, the target group for the personal assistant service will expand. It will now cover individuals experiencing profound or severe degrees of functional limitations related to mobility, vision, and mental health, and in cases of mental health problems, even those with moderate limitations. These services will be extended to individuals aged 15 and above, irrespective of their enrollment in the benefit system.

Individuals with disabilities can nominate their preferred caregiver. If they don't have a candidate in mind, they can select from trained candidates available on the online platform of registered caregivers in the Unified Social Service. The service rate stands at 1050 Armenian drams per hour, including taxes.

Mkrtchyan highlighted that currently, 57 trained individuals, also beneficiaries, are part of the system.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan raised the question of whether a family member could be a beneficiary. Minister Mkrtchyan referred to international experiences, suggesting that family members might encounter complications in resolving employment contracts. He added that a family member might refuse professional training and a training certificate.

Pashinyan stressed that if an individual refuses professional training, they won't be eligible to use the service. He clarified that the beneficiary isn't a family member, but rather the individual in need of care. The funding is allocated to ensure proper care standards. If doubts arise about a family member's caregiving capabilities, the funds won't be allocated. However, he suggested keeping this possibility open.

Pashinyan proposed an expansion of the program to include family members living under the same roof as candidates for personal assistants. However, he stressed that they must undergo training and acquire appropriate caregiving skills.

The minister committed to establishing the relevant regulations before the decision's adoption. Pashinyan aimed to broaden the program further, allowing family members residing with disabled individuals to be considered personal assistant candidates, with the prerequisite of obtaining training and necessary care skills.