In 2020, more than 500 people went to the social services of Santa Cruz to request some type of help related to disability. Aids that range from early stimulation, through support in obtaining functional therapies, to the best known, which are those of performance and improvement of functional development, which include articulated beds, bath chairs, hearing aids or prostheses. As a whole, the IMAS offers a fortnight of benefits related to disability, aid that, as of today, will be completely updated thanks to the fact that the Municipal Plenary will finally approve its bases, a demand long demanded by the disability care groups, and for which they have been waiting since 2016.
“Disability aid covers a wide range of needs. Many people believe that there are only those destined to adapt homes or buy chairs, but the truth is that we provide help for example with therapies, which even have to be done outside the Island, with the purchase of a tablet, or for early care with children who are born with some difficulty and need help as soon as possible ”, explains the councilor for Social Action, Rosario González.
The mayor emphasizes this wide range of benefits, but does not forget that thanks to the change in the bases, long demanded by people with disabilities, it will be possible to speed up the processing of the aid that, she recognizes, in some cases take a year. “With this modification we will be able to process files much faster, to which we have added that we have increased the disability care team, from one person to six.”
Among the most notable changes, González points out that of not having to wait for recognition of dependency to access aid. “Currently, the recognition of dependency can take up to two years, and a person with a disability cannot wait that long to obtain aid from the municipality. That is why we have eliminated this requirement, so that they can access the aid as soon as possible ”, he defends. “Above all it is important,” he continued with the little ones. Children who are born with a problem, and who need immediate support so that they do not get worse, time is vital, and receiving early attention is essential ”.
Altogether, in addition to eliminating the obligation to present the resolution of the Degree of Dependency, or request to have it presented, the necessary procedure for the aid for the elimination of barriers in housing has been streamlined, “so that it is no longer necessary that the Budgets are sealed and signed, a fact that generated so many obstacles to people with mobility problems, in addition, from now on, the technical report comes directly from the Disability Program and the main eligible work units are incorporated. I want to thank Sinpromi for their collaboration in the definition and realization of these units ”, explains González.
It also eliminates the obligation to present a medical prescription for aids for basic adapted home equipment and electrical appliances; the possibility of requesting help to obtain a driving license is extended to other types of disabilities; Another aid concept is included for cultural, leisure and free time activities and is endowed with 2,000 euros per year; the mandatory direct relationship between disability and the need for oral treatment is eliminated; the complementary aid for assistance outside the municipality of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is extended; and finally “the great novelty that responds to the request of all groups, is that this aid includes those under 18 years of age who do not yet have a disability certificate.”
