Catalan President Salvador Illa announced a major overhaul of Catalonia's dependency system in Barcelona on Monday, 27 April 2026. The new Pla CURA aims to reduce processing times for dependency applications from one year to just 60 days and will cancel existing debts from alleged overpayments.
Speaking at the Gràcia Residence and Day Centre for the Elderly, Mr Illa outlined a new model focused on integrating the Health and Social Rights departments. He also highlighted the plan's reliance on digitising processes and improving administrative efficiency to provide faster, more personal care.
Key measures include rapid video call assessments for serious cases, immediate payment of benefits once an assessment is complete, and an increase in staff and technology. The plan will add over 200 professionals and includes a €25 million investment for 2026.
New Waiting Benefit Introduced
The Catalan government is introducing an automatic monthly payment of between €100 and €200 for individuals who have applied for dependency aid but are still waiting for access to care services. Government data suggests 81% of cases will be resolved via an express process, while the remaining 19% will receive this temporary aid, benefiting approximately 6,700 people.
Debts to be Cancelled
A significant part of the plan is the cancellation of debts related to dependency benefits. The government stated this measure corrects a situation that 'should never have happened'. From now on, the Generalitat will not claim repayment of benefits from vulnerable individuals or families.
In 2025 alone, over 10,600 claims for alleged improper payments linked to dependency benefits were issued, many after the beneficiaries had died. "This will not happen again. Money will never again be claimed from a person who has already died," Mr Illa said, emphasising the goal is to protect families and prevent unfair administrative burdens.
Tarragona Case Highlighted System Flaws
The announcement comes months after a case reported by the Diari de Tarragona revealed the situation of Lluís Boada, a Psychology student at the URV in Tarragona with a 78% disability. The administration initially demanded over €4,200 from him for alleged improper payments in his dependency benefit.
After the case was published, the Department of Social Rights halted the debt collection and reviewed the file and the system's operation. The Generalitat then acknowledged the need to improve processes to avoid similar situations. This case is now used by the government to justify the system's reform and the implementation of faster mechanisms for detecting administrative errors.
Broader Administrative Reform
Mr Illa framed Pla CURA as part of a wider reform of the Catalan administration, aiming to reduce bureaucracy, improve citizen services, and strengthen coordination between departments. "The country must function better and cannot fail when people need it most," the President concluded.
