Estonia to pay 200 euros to eligible pensioners in October

The Estonian Social Insurance Board will pay a 200-euro benefit to eligible pensioners living alone alongside their October pension on October 5, ERR reports.

The annual payment is for people of old-age pension age whose monthly pension after deductions is below 992 euros and who are registered as living alone. The benefit is intended to support older people with smaller pensions and reduce their risk of poverty.

Eligibility is assessed automatically using state register data, and recipients do not need to apply. The conditions must be met throughout the assessment period, from April 1 to September 30.

People receiving a pension from abroad had to submit information about its amount by August 31. Their Estonian and foreign pensions are added together when eligibility is assessed. The Social Insurance Board says registered address details must reflect who actually lives at the address, as inaccurate records may prevent automatic payment.

Employment, other social benefits and other income do not affect eligibility. Income from work is excluded from the calculation to encourage older people to remain in employment.

The benefit is not paid to people receiving round-the-clock care at a care home, or to those who were imprisoned or undergoing compulsory psychiatric treatment during the assessment period.