A Social Activist: 'The Arrears of Disability Benefits' Have Still Not Been Paid

A disability rights activist has reported the uncertainty surrounding the arrears of benefits for this group despite a resolution by the Islamic Consultative Assembly. According to the ILNA news agency, Behrouz Marouti, a disability rights activist, criticized the 'non-payment of the 40% arrears of benefits for welfare recipients,' stating that the Islamic Consultative Assembly increased disability benefits by '40%' this year, but this increase was implemented 'after 5 months.' He added that in the first 5 months of this year, only '20%' was added to the benefits of welfare recipients, and the 'arrears of the first 5 months of the year' have not yet been paid to them. Part of the disabled community has repeatedly held protests in various cities regarding the non-implementation of the 'Support for the Disabled' law or the incomplete execution of its provisions in recent years and months. According to Behrouz Marouti, the 'difference' in the 40% increase in 'nursing rights' for Farvardin and Ordibehesht months, as well as the 'difference' in the doubling of the 'health supplies assistance' for the first four months of this year, has also not been paid yet. According to Article 27 of the Support for the Disabled Law ratified in 2017, the Islamic Republic government is obliged to determine the 'livelihood assistance' for individuals with 'very severe' or 'severe disabilities without jobs and income' at the level of the annual minimum wage and to allocate the necessary credits in the annual budget laws of the country. In this regard, Mehrdad Darvishpour, a sociologist, also told Voice of America that disabled people in Iran are 'under double pressure' due to the government's policies. Resistance from officials in response to the minimum demands of the disabled; the government's refusal to increase livelihood assistance. Government agents attacked the protest gathering of disabled individuals in Tehran. A meeting between representatives of the protesters and managers of the Planning and Budget Organization; the payment of arrears for the disabled remains unresolved. Protests by disabled individuals were held in various cities. Neglect of the rights of disabled individuals; the government pays 273,000 tomans monthly. Summons and arrests of disabled individuals; Nasser Sargaran, a blind lawyer, was arrested in Saqqez. Disabled individuals held a protest gathering in front of the Islamic Republic's presidential office.