The new model of the Home Help Service (SAD) for elderly and dependent individuals in the capital, which is set to be introduced by the Municipal Institute of Social Care (IMAS) of Santa Cruz City Council before the year’s end, will alter the existing management of financial assistance by transitioning from contracts to grants. Funds will be allocated to the successful bidders, of whom more than half a dozen have already applied for the tender. This modification, as highlighted yesterday by the socialist spokesperson Patricia Hernández, “will compel users to declare an average income ranging from 6,000 to 15,000 euros to the Treasury.”
Hernández made these remarks during the municipal oversight commission held yesterday, where she scrutinised the councillor for Social Action and president of IMAS, Charín González, regarding how she plans to enforce article 17 of the Dependency decree and the municipal ordinances in its application to accommodate the new Home Help Service model promoted by the council.
This service, which caters to 1,200 beneficiaries over 65 years of age, establishes its new costs between 6,700 and 15,600 euros, focusing on direct expenses related to the service, additional subrogated services (such as fumigation or home cleaning), and those linked to the salaries of the assistants, as outlined in the economic evaluation report file regulating the new SAD model, which DIARIO DE AVISOS has accessed.
The document details the comprehensive calculation of the annual cost per user for the forthcoming model, projecting a total price for 1,300 users, “as the figure is set for 1,250 users in 2023, anticipating an increase for 2024 by calculating the number of service hours,” as specified in the file. In this regard, the unit cost is established at 6,776 euros, while the maximum amounts for home assistance benefits for individuals with disabilities requiring personal hygiene, transfer management, home cleaning, shopping, or food preparation, among other services, totals up to 15,674 euros annually.
According to Hernández, “with the new model, the subsidy allocated per user will go to the management company, which must be declared in the beneficiary’s income tax return as if it were a salary received, as it is not exempt from personal income tax, in contrast to scholarships or food vouchers that, not exceeding the threshold of 12,000 euros, do not require declaration.”
The socialist thus criticised the councillor for the sector, whom she accused of “harming the elderly with her innovations and disregarding the municipal ordinances in this respect by shifting from contracts to subsidies that will impact the users. This is reminiscent of Berlusconi’s tactics because she deceives both the workers and the beneficiaries.”
Significant Change
In response, Councillor Charín González reiterated that “the new SAD model will entail a considerable transformation to achieve a more efficient care system tailored to current realities, culminating in enhanced service quality, establishing local offices across all districts and improving conditions for assistants. Within a year, we will present a model that many will aspire to replicate,” she asserted.
The councillor further reminded those present, as reported by DIARIO DE AVISOS, that “at last week’s Governing Council meeting, the most recent extension of the SAD contract was ratified until November, aiming for the modification of the service to commence before the year’s conclusion.”
She also indicated that “we are coordinating with the Canary Islands Government, which is processing a revision of the Dependency decree to facilitate changes necessary for the new model.”
The control committee discussed additional matters in its first session following the summer recess. Among other topics, the ongoing works on La Rosa street, which began in July 2023, were mentioned. The councillor for the area, Javier Rivero, addressed queries from VOX spokesperson Alejandro Gómez regarding the status of various phases being implemented in the El Toscal neighbourhood that affect local businesses and residents.
The councillor explained that all three phases have been executed, “with some delays attributed to unforeseen issues with the pipelines, but currently the project is 50% complete up to San Antonio Street, connecting with San Martín Street. Upon completion, works will proceed to San Francisco Javier Street, where a significant portion of commercial activity is concentrated, with plans to expedite developments at this stage. Prior to the summer of 2026, we expect the entire neighbourhood to be revitalised,” he stated.
Another topic discussed in the control session centred on the appointment of Juan Ramón Lazcano (former Ciudadanos councillor at the city council) as the general director of Urban Transformation Santa Cruz Verde 2030. The PSOE accused the councillor for Human Resources, Purificación Dávila, of having created this role because “Santa Cruz rewards traitors,” referring to Lazcano’s exit from the council in 2020, which facilitated the motion of censure against the previous mayor, Patricia Hernández. The councillor denied this, asserting that it was a public competition featuring 19 candidates.
