The government will grant a pension of 1,700 euros per month and offer other tax relief to the victims and relatives of the 2017 floods in western Attica and the 2018 wildfires in Mati, the Finance Ministry announced Tuesday.
In the case of wildfire victims, beneficiaries are the relatives of those who died as well as the burn victims with second or third degree burns and a disability rate of 50% or more who are included in the Burn Victims Registry.
The pension, equal to four times the full national pension, is tax-free, is not offset against debts, and will be paid regardless of whether the recipients are employed or receive another pension. It will also automatically increase once it merges with the national pension they will receive when they retire.
The measures also include the cancellation of any debts to tax authorities, social security funds and local government, full health coverage for burn victims in Greece and abroad, as well as free psychological support.
At the same time, the compensations awarded by court decisions are also tax-free, and non-seizable.
“With the amendments submitted late last night…the state is putting an end to a years-long delay and is moving forward with specific measures for the rehabilitation, relief and institutional protection of those affected,” the Finance Ministry said in its reasoning.
The bill and the regulations will be voted on later in the day by Parliament.