Santa Cruz Launches Enhanced Support for Social Assistance Payments
The Santa Cruz City Council, through its Social Policies department, will implement an extraordinary support initiative starting from 23 June. This new scheme is aimed at streamlining the management of Social Assistance Economic Benefits (PEAS) to reduce processing times and provide a quicker response to citizens’ needs.
Commitment to Citizens
The Mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Bermúdez, emphasised that “this extraordinary support demonstrates the City Council’s commitment to those who need assistance the most. Our goal is to expedite municipal responses and ensure that help reaches those facing vulnerable situations as swiftly as possible.”
Expanding the Support System
Bermúdez further noted that “Santa Cruz currently has the most extensive municipal social aid system in its history, and we must continue to enhance its management capacity to offer increasingly effective and accessible support.”
Charín González, the councillor for Social Policies, acknowledged the significant volume of benefits processed by the City Council and the need to improve response times. She stated, “This extraordinary measure will increase available resources and help in resolving pending cases.”
Addressing Real Needs
The councillor reminded us that “behind every case lies a real need that requires a swift and effective response. This support will enable us to improve the management of Social Assistance Economic Benefits, a system that in 2025 facilitated over 75,000 aids to assist families and individuals facing vulnerability.”
This initiative, which will enhance administrative capacity for case management, is initially set to run until 31 July. However, its continuation throughout August and September will be assessed based on the outcomes achieved and the identified needs.
Administrative Reinforcement
The scheme will comprise two specific teams: one made up of administrative assistants responsible for managing benefits and another of administrative staff to reinforce various stages of case processing and oversight.
The service will involve a maximum of three extraordinary service days per week per person, with work periods of up to three hours daily, conducted both in person and remotely.
Productivity Indicators
To ensure the effectiveness of the reinforcement, productivity indicators have been established to enhance processing and oversight capacity. There is a minimum expectation of managing four cases per hour per professional, and between six and eight cases will be overseen in the same timeframe.
This measure will accelerate the resolution of applications and optimise the municipal response to the social needs of the community. Additionally, a weekly monitoring and evaluation system has been set up to analyse results and implement necessary improvements to the operation.
Integration Changes
The launch of this initiative coincides with the integration of the Social Policies area into the administrative structure of the City Council of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, following the dissolution of the Municipal Institute of Social Care (IMAS) as an autonomous body since 1 January this year. This administrative reorganisation has required the adaptation of procedures, management processes, and oversight systems to the regular functioning of municipal administration. The Council is now complementing this transformation with specific measures designed to enhance processing capacity and ensure agile and efficient citizen support.
New PEAS Regulations for 2026
It is also worth noting that the City Council approved a new Regulatory Ordinance for Social Assistance Economic Benefits (PEAS) last April. This document updates and expands the municipal aid system to better address new social needs and current regulations.
Among the key updates is the introduction of a specific financial benefit related to home care services for individuals with recognised dependence or in process, difficulties in performing basic daily activities, or facing social vulnerability.
New Benefits for Home Care
This new benefit will fund professional personal care and domestic support services in the home, enabling individuals to remain within their familiar surroundings, fostering their autonomy, and bolstering support for family caregivers.
With coverage of up to 60 hours per month and a maximum annual amount of €15,674.40 per household, this measure expands the capacity of the municipal social services system and reinforces the City Council’s commitment to a care model that is more accessible, flexible, and aligned with the needs of the population.
Strengthening Aid in 2026
Thus, the municipal PEAS system will continue to strengthen in 2026, following a record investment of over €14.8 million dedicated to social aid and more than 75,000 benefits managed in 2025. The PEAS includes assistance for food, housing, basic supplies, disability, tele-assistance, early childhood education, and other social needs.
Notably, the largest allocations have been for food and subsistence aid, which exceeded €8.9 million, as well as for rental and housing assistance, approaching €4 million.
