The Croatian Institute for Social Work has announced the next disbursement of cash benefits for Thursday, but a large number of applicants have yet to receive a decision on their right to the inclusive allowance.
The Croatian Institute for Social Work has announced that the next disbursement of cash benefits to users in the social welfare system, including the inclusive allowance, will begin on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Although more than 200,000 citizens currently receive the benefit, a significant number of applications remain unresolved.
According to the latest publicly available detailed overview, more than 218,000 decisions granting rights have been issued, and more than 209,000 people have been receiving the inclusive allowance. At the same time, approximately 104,000 procedures were still ongoing. It is important to note that this figure reflects the last published status, not a fully updated picture at the beginning of August, as the Institute did not release new numbers on pending cases alongside the payment announcement.
The inclusive allowance is a cash benefit intended for persons with disabilities, aimed at overcoming barriers to equal participation in society. The amount of the benefit is not determined solely by a medical diagnosis but also by an assessment of the level of support, the category and severity of disability, and the individual's functional abilities. The level of support is assessed by the Institute for Expertise, Professional Rehabilitation, and Employment of Persons with Disabilities, while the decision is made by the competent regional office of the Croatian Institute for Social Work.
The base for calculation is €120, and the right is divided into five levels. Beneficiaries at the first level receive €720 per month, the second €480, the third €432, the fourth €162, and the fifth level €138.
The payment applies exclusively to beneficiaries whose right has already been recognized by a corresponding decision. Merely submitting an application does not guarantee payment on that day if the procedure has not been completed. Particularly affected are those citizens who submitted their applications months ago and have still not received a response, making the prolonged wait a significant issue.
Individuals who, as of December 31, 2023, were already receiving a personal disability allowance, an allowance for assistance and care, financial assistance for unemployed persons with disabilities, or an increased child allowance due to health impairment or disability, have been transferred to the inclusive allowance automatically, without the need to submit a new application.
Beneficiaries who have received a decision should verify the recognized level of support, the date from which the right accrues, and the payment details. They may appeal the decision within 15 days of receipt, by submitting an appeal to the regional office that issued the decision.
In June, the Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy issued a guideline stating that if the level of support is subsequently changed, the new amount is paid from the first day of the month in which the new decision became official. The same instruction provides for the write-off of existing debt for beneficiaries who were repaying so-called overpaid amounts, with the obligation of the regional office to refund amounts already paid.
In the event of the death of a person who was waiting for a decision, family members who are heirs may submit a request to continue or reopen the procedure. They must contact the Croatian Institute for Social Work directly, attaching a final inheritance decision or evidence of initiated probate proceedings. If the right to the allowance is established, it can be recognized for the period from the date of application submission to the date of death.
