The Catalan government will forgive debts arising from dependency aid, including those inherited after a beneficiary's death or paid in error due to changes in dependency status. This measure, announced by Generalitat President Salvador Illa in Barcelona, aims to end a situation that led to 10,665 debt claims against Catalan families in 2025.
Previously, if a patient's condition improved but they continued to receive aid incorrectly, the administration would later reclaim the funds, causing financial problems for families. Illa described this practice as a "bad joke" and insisted it "should never have happened." The government will approve the change on Tuesday as part of the Pla Cura package, which also seeks to reduce the waiting list for dependency status assessment to 60 days by 2029.
This move follows a similar decision in late 2024, when 30,052 vulnerable households and formerly institutionalised young people had incorrect payments for guaranteed citizenship income pardoned. The government aims to streamline and humanise the dependency aid system.
New Automatic Minimum Benefit
As part of the Pla Cura, Illa also announced a new "automatic minimum coverage" benefit of between €100 and €200, depending on the degree of dependency. This aid will be paid within approximately 15 days to individuals who have received their dependency status resolution but are still waiting for access to care services, such as a place in a residence, day centre, or home care service.
This new benefit is for those who do not qualify for the 'express Individual Attention Programme' (PIA exprés), which was also announced on Sunday. The PIA exprés provides an immediate €200 payment to individuals with Grade III dependency, the highest level. Illa specified that 81% of people on the waiting list will receive the PIA exprés, while the remaining 19% will receive the new automatic benefit. He called it an "innovative and unprecedented measure in Spain that will benefit 6,700 people."
Reducing Waiting Times and Expanding Services
The Catalan executive leader emphasised the "most ambitious transformation" to shorten processing times for dependency aid. He reiterated that the entire healthcare network would be activated, working to reduce the average waiting time from application to resolution from 397 days to 60 days. A pilot programme in Vic has shown this target is achievable, according to Illa.
The Pla Cura focuses on older people, as they are the group most in need of care services. Illa highlighted that since the start of the current legislative term, 2,740 new residential places have been created, moving towards the commitment of 6,000 new places during his mandate. For example, one future facility will be built on the site of the former ICASS residence in Reus, Tarragona, which closed in July 2024 due to structural issues. The Spanish government and the Generalitat agreed last week to demolish the old building and construct a new one starting in 2027.
