The Parliament of Catalonia has unanimously validated this Wednesday the decree of the Government that develops the ALS law and regulates new benefits for people with extreme dependency. The rule incorporates economic aid for those who have grade III+ recognized and adds an extraordinary supplement to cover the total cost of the service, beyond the financing provided by state law.
The measure passed with the support of all groups in a session held with the presence of entities and patients in the hemicycle. After the validation, the plenary session rejected processing the decree as a bill, an option that Junts had requested.
Benefits of up to 14,788.50 euros per month
The decree sets that the Generalitat will provide an additional supplement to state aid for people with dependency grade III+. State coverage establishes a maximum of 9,859 euros per month per beneficiary, paid 50% between the State and the autonomous communities.
With the regional contribution, which can reach 4,929.5 euros, the total benefit can amount to up to 14,788.50 euros per month, depending on the care needs of each case. The rule also expands the compatibility between benefits for this level of extreme dependency.
The Government estimates 74 beneficiaries already recognized
The Minister of Social Rights, Mònica Martínez Bravo, defended during the debate that these aids will mean "a before and an after" and defined them as "a great advance" for the welfare state in Catalonia. She also maintained that the measure guarantees "sufficient" resources to support those affected and their families.
The Government assures that 74 people already have grade III+ dependency granted. In total, about 120 have requested this recognition and it is estimated that nearly 200 could meet the requirements in Catalonia.
To access this degree, a medical report is required that certifies, among other criteria, needs such as prolonged assisted ventilation, daily aspiration of secretions, or immobility of the upper body.
Criticism from various groups over deadlines and scope of aid
During the session, deputies from Junts, ERC, Vox, Comuns, and the CUP agreed that the decree is a necessary step, although they reproached that the aid arrives late and considered it insufficient. In their speeches, they pointed out problems with deadlines, difficulties of access, and lack of resources.
Martínez Bravo emphasized the need to streamline processing and set a maximum resolution period of three months. The Catalan Executive plans to allocate approximately 20 million euros in 2026 to the deployment of the law and these benefits, with the intention of reinforcing coverage for cases of extreme dependency linked to ALS.