A larger increase for support outside residential services

At level IV, the monthly allowance for people outside residential social services rose from CZK 19,200 to CZK 27,000. The amount for recipients in residential social services became CZK 23,000. For adults at level III, the allowance rose from CZK 12,800 to CZK 14,800; at level II it increased from CZK 4,400 to CZK 4,900. The official Labour Office leaflet records the resulting amounts and the distinction between residential and other support arrangements. These figures describe the July 2024 change. [2][3][1]

The council wanted more at lower levels

In its notice of 24 June 2024, NRZP ČR chairman Václav Krása said the council had sought increases at levels I and II and considered the level-II increase small. Level I remained unchanged in this reform. That criticism shows why a headline increase did not affect every recipient equally. The council also told existing recipients that the increases would be applied automatically, without a new application for the higher amount. This was information about the 2024 adjustment, not an assurance that every later change would use the same procedure. [2]

Personal-assistance ceilings also increased

The council reported that the maximum hourly price for personal assistance increased from CZK 155 to CZK 165 when support amounted to no more than 80 hours a month. For support exceeding 80 hours, the maximum rose from CZK 135 to CZK 150. The notice identified similar changes for several other social services. A permitted ceiling is not proof that every provider charged the maximum, but it means a larger cash allowance cannot by itself show how many additional hours a person could afford. [2]

A cash benefit and a service are different

The Labour Office describes the allowance as a contribution towards help with basic everyday needs, with assistance potentially provided by relatives, social-care assistants or registered services. Personal assistance is one possible service within this wider support landscape. An increase in the allowance therefore does not automatically establish a user-directed assistance arrangement or guarantee an available assistant. The practical effect depends on the recipient’s needs, the kind of support used and its price. Reading the benefit change alongside the service-price change gives a clearer picture of what happened in July 2024. [3][2][1]