Living Standards Measurements Study - Serbia 2002 - 2007

6.2.8. Social benefits and PWDs
Table 6 shows that PWDs claimed all type of
benefits (except one off municipal cash benefit).
Attendance and assistance allowance is a key
benefit for this group. Of households living below
the poverty line, 16.3 percent receive attendance
and assistance allowance, 15.0 percent receive child
allowance and 6.9 percent receive MOP.
The average monthly amount of attendance
and assistance allowance was 6 909 dinars per
household, MOP was 4 244 dinars, child allowance
3 164 dinars. In 2007, only 4 percent of respondent
households with PWDs applied for MOP and 8.5
percent had received it in the last 12 months.
6.2.9. Conclusion
1. People aged 45+ are the large age group among
the interviewed PWDs (while 50 percent are
aged 60+). This could indicate that people, who
became disabled during their working life, i.e.
during the third part of their working life, make
up the greatest proportion of surveyed PWDs.
2. PWDs labour market status is extremely
unfavourable. The employment rate of PWDs is
significantly lower than that of the total
population.
3. PWDs predominantly use public health services.
The costs of health services and purchase of
medicine are significantly higher for PWDs than
for the total population. Almost all PWDs have
health insurance.
4. Among poor PWDs, the greatest proportion are
aged 60+, with an education level up to
completion of primary school, pensioners and
households whose members receive attendance
and assistance allowance and child allowance.
Endnotes, Part 6
1 National Plan of Action for Children, Government of the
Republic of Serbia, 2004
2 The basis for defining the above-mentioned goal is the Serbia
PRS and numerous UN documents on the rights of children.
3 Only 5 LSMS households received this benefit in 2007, (but
they received between 12 000 – 100 000 dinar)
4 See Comparative analysis of the Minimum European Health
Module and questions used in Europe. Elena de Palma and
Roberta Crialesi, ISTAT 2003. The questions are found in
the health module.
5 The Survey on Demographic Characteristics, Service Needs
and Material Position of PWDs (2007) shows that the majority
of PWDs attend regular schools. In total, 91.3 percent attend
school, of which 73.4 percent attend regular school and the
remainder attend special schools. The Centre for Independent
Living, "Social Welfare Services Targeting PWDs:
Harmonising Policies and Practice", in print.
6 Results of the Survey on Demographic Characteristics,
Service Needs and Material Position of PWDs shows that the
majority of PWDs receive a pension. The Centre for
Independent Living, "Social Welfare Services Targeting
PWDs: Harmonising Policies and Practice", in print
7 According to the Survey on Demographic Characteristics,
Service Needs and Material Position of PWDs, 12.8 percent of
PWDs were employed in 2007. The Centre for Independent
Living, "Social Welfare Services Targeting PWDs:
Harmonising Policies and Practice", in print. According to
World Bank estimates, 13 percent of PWDs in Serbia are
employed. World Bank (2003), Serbia and Montenegro
Poverty Assessment, Report no. 26011-YU, Washington D.C.
8 According to the 2007 Labour Force Survey, the employment
rate of the total working age population (15-64) was 51.5
percent. Press Release no. 29, 06.02.2008.
82 Living Standards Measurements Study - Serbia 2002 - 2007