countries - lt - Social protection

Social protection

Pensions for incapacity to work are paid to individuals with a minimum contribution period for state social insurance. The requirements for the minimum and compulsory period of insurance for the pension for incapacity for work depend on an individual's age.

Old age pensions are funded through compulsory contributions by individuals or by the state on their behalf. Contributions must be made over a minimum number of years; for fewer years of contribution amounts are reduced pro rata. The old age pension is comprised of two amounts:  basic and additional. 

Between 2003-2006, the total number of disability pension beneficiaries increased by 0.02% and the total number of old age pension beneficiaries by 0.01%.

Between 2005-2006, for social insurance payments in the case of disability and invalidity): total number of support receivers increased by 1.5%; number of incapacity support receivers increased by 39.5%; number of disability support receivers increased by 35.5%.

Disabled people at university, college or vocational school get special financial support. Students who have I or II level incapacity for work and high or medium disability receive a monthly 50% allowance of state basic pension for special needs.

Rehabilitation and re-training

In 2007, the Lithuanian Labour Exchange helped up to 300 disabled people to renew their work and professional skills. Financial support for social enterprises has helped to keep 1500 disabled people in work market, established 87 new staff posts, of which 20 were allocated to disabled persons. In 2007, 300 new workplaces for disabled people were established, with about 40% of these workplaces allocated to people with 40% incapacity. Disabled people were employed as drivers, cooks, confectioners and book - keepers.

Preferential employment and quotas

In 2007 the status of social enterprise was granted to 15 new enterprises. From the beginning of the year the state granted 14 million LTL in financial support to these enterprises.

The Lithuanian Labour Exchange at the Ministry of the Republic of Lithuania has allocated financial support to employers, to establish workplaces for disabled people. In 2007 there were established 300 new workplaces for disabled people, with about 40% of these workplaces was separated for people with 40% incapacity. See also the section above on rehabilitation and training.

Long-term support and care

Disabled people receive the following general social services: interpretation into the sign language, provision with compensatory equipment, assistants, guides, housing adaptation, transportation, information and consulting, assistance at home, care homes, assistance benefits, meals, provision with basic necessities, etc.

Where the general social services are insufficient, people receive special social services, provided at fixed and mobile social care and rehabilitation institutions. Long-term and lifetime services for older and disabled persons are provided in institutions run by counties, municipalities and non-governmental organizations. These provide special care, social work and nursing when people are not able to take care of themselves. They aim to address basic needs such as informing, consulting, help with eating, health care, personal hygiene, employment and organization. Additional services are provided on an individual basis.

Official statistics suggest that the number of disabled adults in institutional care has increased slightly, from 5,163 in 2000 to 5,370 in 2007. The number of places available increased from 5,175 (25 institutions) to 5,400 (30 institutions). The number of children in residential educational institutions has decreased.