by InTrieste
In a bid to support its most vulnerable citizens, the Friuli Venezia Giulia region has introduced a €350 annual subsidy aimed at pensioners with low incomes. The initiative, announced by Regional Councilor for Family Affairs Alessia Rosolen, seeks to provide financial relief to residents receiving minimum or lower pensions, including those on social pensions or disability benefits.
“This subsidy is a direct way for the Friuli Venezia Giulia region to redistribute wealth and support those who need it most,” Rosolen said after a regional commission meeting in Trieste. “It is part of a broader policy agenda that focuses on ensuring financial security for the entire population, with particular attention to the most vulnerable among us.”
Aiding Low-Income Pensioners
The €350 payment will be provided to pensioners whose benefits fall below or are equal to the minimum pension level set by Italy’s National Social Security Institute (INPS). This includes individuals receiving social pensions, social allowances, or disability pensions for civil invalids. To be eligible, recipients must also have an ISEE (Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente), Italy’s official indicator of household income, of €15,000 or less.
Initially, the program was set to provide a €250 annual payment, but regional officials have increased this amount to €350. The subsidy, which is part of a three-year budget allocation totaling €15 million, will be distributed in a lump sum annually, exempt from income tax. Most beneficiaries will receive their payments in June starting in 2025.
While the program currently targets pensioners receiving benefits through INPS — Italy’s largest social security institution — Rosolen indicated that plans to expand the subsidy to include other pension schemes are in the works.
Streamlined Access for Beneficiaries
One key feature of the program is its simplicity. Unlike many social assistance programs that require applicants to submit complex paperwork, the €350 subsidy will be distributed automatically. INPS will identify eligible individuals based on the necessary criteria, including residency, pension type, and income level, and notify the regional government of the number of qualified recipients.
For 2024, a transitional year, eligibility will be determined based on whether applicants meet the requirements at the time the regulation goes into effect, rather than by the usual December 31 cutoff. It is estimated that 12,571 individuals will qualify for the subsidy in its first year, though the exact timeline for disbursement in 2024 is still being finalized.
A Broader Commitment to Economic Equality
Rosolen emphasized that this new subsidy is part of a larger regional strategy to address economic inequality and protect the purchasing power of families. She expressed hope that the program could eventually become a permanent fixture in the region’s social safety net, potentially even expanding to cover recipients from other pension funds.
“Our goal is to create long-term solutions that benefit the most disadvantaged,” she said. “This measure is just one part of a wider effort to ensure economic stability for everyone in our region.”
As Europe continues to navigate the economic challenges of the post-pandemic world, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s new policy could provide a valuable model for other regions looking to balance fiscal responsibility with targeted social support. For now, it offers critical assistance to pensioners struggling to make ends meet in a time of economic uncertainty.
