Eligibility includes children and adults
Article 31 set nationality, residence and disability-related eligibility conditions. It covered permanent disabilities or chronic illnesses requiring care or support, with assessment details left to regulations. Article 32 allowed the payment alongside other benefits and pensions, except childhood and old-age benefits, where the higher payment would apply. [1]
Extra disability costs enter the debate
The ILO explained that the basic benefit was designed independently of employment status or income. Majed Al-Farsi of the government’s Tawazun technical team said it would help families “meet the extra costs associated with disability” and partly compensate carers for time away from paid work. [2]
A new fund takes responsibility
The Social Protection Fund stated that disability-benefit disbursement would start in January 2024. The reform gave one institution responsibility for administering both social-assistance payments and social insurance. The ILO also described a governing board including worker, employer and government representatives, giving those constituencies roles in overseeing the system. [3][2]