Parents who cared for children waited 13 years for law – now warn of flaws

After a 13-year struggle, parents who care for children with disabilities in Serbia are on the cusp of receiving legal recognition and financial support. The proposed Law on Caregiver Parents, which will soon be presented to lawmakers, promises a monthly allowance of 65,000 dinars and the payment of social security contributions.

“

What is important is that these parents actually receive recognition for the first time that they are doing an unpaid job.

However, the law's provisions have sparked significant criticism from the very community it aims to serve. A key point of contention is the eligibility criteria, which restrict the caregiver status to unemployed individuals whose children have a severe disability, specifically those receiving an increased personal assistance allowance. This excludes many parents whose children require constant care but do not meet this specific financial threshold.

“

In practice, there are many people with disabilities who do not have this document, the increased personal assistance, but require supervision and care. They will not have the right to a caregiver.

"In practice, there are many people with disabilities who do not have this document, the increased personal assistance, but require supervision and care. They will not have the right to a caregiver," said Ana Lakić, mother of a child with autism, highlighting the exclusion of a significant number of families.

“

We, as the ministry dealing with social protection, are not here to determine the degree of disability, but the assessment of professionals is the basis for the rights we want users to achieve.

Further concerns include the exclusion of pensioners, who continue to provide care even after retirement, and the stipulation that only close relatives can be recognized as caregivers. Parents also question the lack of provisions for caregiver breaks, sick leave, or what happens to the cared-for child during such times. While the Ministry of Labor stated that professional assessments determine disability levels, parents argue the law's current form leaves many vulnerable families without the support they desperately need.

“

A big oversight is that pensioners have not received any recognition because it happens that when you retire at 65, you don't stop caring for your child.