Support for addiction relief has increased as authorities set minimum and maximum allowances for the first time in over a decade. The central government announced this expansion at the end of July, stating that the new aid levels would be determined by royal decree and coordinated by the cabinet, while the actual distribution remains a responsibility of autonomous communities. Recipients of addiction benefits have not needed to take action themselves since the decree; payments are updated automatically. This was not always the case in the Valencian Community, where delays had been the norm in the past.
Late last July, officials acknowledged that there was effectively no additional funding available for more than 141,000 individuals within the Valencian Community’s addiction support system. In response, payments were subsequently updated. The authorities assured that a solution would be provided as soon as possible, with the Ministry of Services, Social Policy, Equality and Housing emphasizing that new beneficiaries joining the system would also receive updated payments. Critics argued that the central government had not contributed the necessary funds, insisting that the central share should be 50%, while the reality was that autonomous communities financed about 75% of the dependency system. This dynamic has persisted since the law was enacted in 2007 and continues under successive administrations, including those led by PSOE and PP in Madrid.
Residents awaited the updated aid payment in August, but it arrived only in September, and in some cases, never materialized. The Ombudsman began receiving a flood of inquiries on the subject, prompting the Greuges Ombudsman Ángel Luna to issue an ex officio complaint to investigate why assistance could not be updated in line with the royal decree that had been announced in advance and that the Administration should have anticipated. The aim was to clarify the gaps in scheduling and ensure timely delivery of benefits.
Many families and organizations connected to disability and addiction expressed frustration over the delay in updated payments. Individuals receiving aid whose details must be verified reported uncertainty about when they would begin to collect funds, creating anxiety and administrative burden across the community.
Three types of economic benefits exist within the dependency system, and all three saw increases. The total amount depends on the degree of addiction assigned to each person—Grade III (most dependent), Grade II, and Grade I (least dependent)—and on the level of purchasing power. In the Valencian Community, the distribution for July showed 38,684 recipients in Grade II, 53,615 in Grade I, and 49,437 in Grade I. The data reflect the scale of impact across different levels of dependency and the broad reach of the program within the region.
Three types of help
One component of the addiction system offers a “service-related economic benefit”. This payment reached a historical high of 747.25 euros per month for Grade III dependents. For those in Grade II, the payment remains substantial, while Grade I recipients receive a lower amount. This money is allocated to cover specific services such as therapies, accommodation, and day centers within the public system’s scope. The aim is to enable access to essential supports that facilitate daily life and ongoing treatment for dependents and their families.
Within the framework of the “financial provision of personal assistance” for Grade III, monthly amounts were increased by 32.18 euros. Recipients in the higher dependency brackets have reached the maximum monthly limit of 747.25 euros, while Grade II recipients saw a meaningful uplift, and Grade I participants experienced a more modest rise. The overall effect was a notable improvement in the level of ongoing financial support available to those most in need, with adjustments reflecting updated assessments and resources allocated to the program.
The most frequently requested form of aid remains the option for care within a family setting. Across all classes, the average increase for this family-based care aid stood at 17.65%. For Grade III, the monthly allowance rose from 387.64 euros to 455.40 euros under the decree. Grade II beneficiaries in Class I saw their payments increase from 268.79 euros to 315.90 euros, while those in Grade I who rely on aid rose from 153 euros to 180 euros. These changes represent a meaningful improvement in the ability of families to provide supportive care without facing unsustainable financial strain.