In the current pandemic, Ordinance no. 256/2020, of October 28, simplified the process of recognition of the Informal Caregiver Status, reducing by half the deadline for completing the process and waiving the submission of documents that are difficult to obtain during the pandemic, such as the medical certificate. The deadline for completing the process is reduced from 60 to 30 days.
The recognition of the informal caregiver status depends on the submission of an application, in a proper document, to the social security services or through the Social Security Direct portal. This application must include the necessary information to check the generic requirements established for the informal caregiver, as well as the documents and evidence to be submitted.
The application must include proof of the cared-for person’s consent (failure to do so will result in the application being rejected). But the law that has now been approved no longer requires a medical certificate guaranteeing that the applicant is physically and psychologically fit to care for the person being cared for.
For holders of the second-degree dependency supplement, or for recipients of the third-party care allowance, there will be a transitional exemption from the medical statement.
Until December 31, 2020, applications may be submitted only with a declaration of informed consent signed by the person being cared for, without a medical statement attesting that the person is in full use of their intellectual faculties. A period of 90 days from the date of approval is given for the submission of this medical statement, under penalty of forfeiture.
The social security services will decide within thirty days of the application being filed, provided it has been duly completed. The application is considered to have been duly completed on the date on which the last document proving that the conditions necessary for the recognition of the right have been met is presented. The granting of the application allows the petitioner to have the status of informal caregiver recognized.
A medical certificate attesting that the applicant is physically and psychologically fit is no longer necessary. Until December 31 it is possible to submit certain documents that involve subsequent medical acts.
03/03/2022