As part of the digital transformation of social care, the joint ministerial decision on the establishment, maintenance, and operation of the “Disability Benefits Registry.”
This new digital tool on the National Disability Portal promises to put an end to the bureaucracy and the fragmentation of information that both people with disabilities and their families face on a daily basis.
A government-wide initiative.
The scope and significance of this initiative are underscored by the fact that the decision was signed by the overwhelming majority of government members—ranging from the Ministries of Finance, Health, and Labor, all the way to the Ministries of Education, Infrastructure & Transportation, Environment, and Digital Governance. This broad consensus highlights that benefits for people with disabilities are not limited to financial allowances alone, but extend to tax exemptions, transportation assistance, educational
facilities, social services, and special provisions across the entire public sector.
What is the Disability Benefits Registry?
The Registry is a specialized subsystem of the National Disability Portal. Its purpose is to collect, record, and transparently document all accommodations, allowances, benefits, and services to which people with disabilities or their related individuals are entitled.
What does the documentation of each benefit include?
For each available benefit or accommodation, the Registry will document the following in a standardized and clear manner:
• Title & Description: the distinctive title and brief description of the benefit.
• Legal Framework & Competent Authorities: the applicable provisions and the competent agencies
responsible for awarding or granting the benefit.
• Eligibility Requirements: the disability-related and other requirements for receiving the benefit.
• Financial Details & Frequency: the frequency and monetary value (exact amount or range), provided
that it is quantified in monetary terms.
• Application Process: detailed instructions for submitting the application and a direct link to the National Registry of Administrative Procedures “MITOS.”
Who is the Operating Agency, and what are the agencies’ obligations?
The Organization for Welfare Benefits and Social Solidarity (OPEKA) is designated as the operating agency for the Registry. It is responsible for ensuring continuous operation, maintaining the system, verifying the accuracy of entries, and issuing access credentials.
With regard to data entry personnel and data updates, each competent Ministry, Agency, and Municipality shall designate authorized “Data Entry Personnel”; such designations must be made within 10 days of publication.
They are required to complete the initial registration of benefits within one (1) month of the
decision’s publication, to immediately update the system in the event of changes or new benefits, and to annually verify the accuracy of the data.
Public Access and Information.
One of the most significant benefits of the new regulatory framework is that all information in the registry is public and accessible to everyone via the Internet. This provides immediate, accurate, and comprehensive information to those interested, without requiring them to travel or contact multiple public agencies—a process that often causes considerable inconvenience to thousands of people.
The creation of the Disability Benefits Registry is a positive step toward ensuring equal access to information and reducing bureaucratic burdens.