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  3. Seniors Decree – Universal Benefit

Seniors Decree – Universal Benefit

The service allows non-self-sufficient elderly people who meet specific requirements to submit a claim for the Universal Benefit, which supports home care and personal autonomy in cases of very severe care needs.

Specific for
Seniors over the age of eighty who are not self-sufficient and who already benefit from the attendance allowance

Publication: 18 February 2025 Latest update: 10 July 2026

What is it?

The Universal Benefit is an experimental economic measure from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2026, aimed at elderly people who are not self-sufficient and in very serious need of care. It supports home care and personal autonomy.

The benefit is provided by INPS upon claim of the person concerned, also with the support of a patronage institute. Once granted, it absorbs the contributions referred to in Article 1, paragraph 164, second sentence, of Law 234/2021, paid by the ATS.

Who is it aimed at?

It is aimed at elderly people who are not self-sufficient and who meet the health and social requirements for the granting of the benefit. 

How does it work?

START DATE AND DURATION

The benefit is paid monthly until 31 December 2026, the end date of the trial (Article 34 of Legislative Decree 29/2024). It is not subject to taxation or attachment.

If the requirements are met, the benefit starts from the month of submission of the claim.

WHAT AM I ENTITLED TO?

The Universal Benefit includes:

  • a fixed amount, corresponding to the attendance allowance (Article 1, paragraph 3, Law 18/1980).
  • an additional amount (Assistance Allowance) of approximately €850 per month, within the limits of available resources, to be used alternatively in order to:
    • pay qualified domestic workers with a regular employment contract (Article 51, Legislative Decree 81/2015);
    • buy non-residential care and social assistance services from qualified companies or professionals, according to regional and local planning.

WITHDRAWAL OF BENEFIT

The benefit is withdrawn if:

  • the payment of the attendance allowance stops;
  • the social-health ISEE exceeds €6,000;
  • the additional amount is not used in the manner required;
  • the individual is admitted to a Health Care Residence (RSA) or similar facilities.

Claim

REQUIREMENTS

Claims may be submitted by individuals who:

  • are 80 years of age or older;
  • have a very severe care need, recognised by INPS in accordance with the criteria laid down in Ministerial Decree No. 155/2024, adopted on 19 December 2024;
  • have a social-health ISEE not exceeding €6,000 (Art. 6, Italian Council of Ministers Presidential Decree 159/2013);
  • receive the attendance allowance (Art. 1, Par. 1, Law 18/1980);
  • are not living in an RSA or similar facility.

Assessment of the very severe level of care required

The INPS ascertains the level of very severe care need (in the manner provided for by Article 29-ter of Legislative Decree 76/2020, converted by Law 120/2020), on the basis of:

  • health-related information found in its archives;
  • documentation attached to the claim;
  • indications of the technical-scientific commission provided for by Art. 34, Par. 3, of Legislative Decree 29/2024, approved by the Ministerial Decree dated 19 December 2024.

The assessment takes into account:

  • a health requirement, referring to the very serious disability identified according to the parameters provided for by art. 3 of the ministerial decree of 26 September 2016, in cases where continuous assistance is needed 24 hours a day, even by several people at the same time, and its interruption can cause serious complications or even death;
  • a social requirement, defined on the basis of the information provided by the individual concerned in the claim regarding their family situation and need for care. The answers to the questionnaire determine the care need score, which must be at least 8.

In order for the benefit to be granted, both requirements must be met..

HOW CAN I CLAIM?

The claim can be submitted online by using the dedicated service.

Alternatively, it is possible to contact a patronage institute (Law 152/2001).

It can be submitted:

  • by individuals who are 80 years of age or older;
  • from the first day of the month in which the age requirement is fulfilled. 

PAYMENT METHOD

The fixed amount and the additional amount are paid separately:

  • the fixed amount is paid in the manner required for the attendance allowance;
  • the additional amount is paid through the "Universal Benefit" service.

WAIVER

After the claim has been accepted, it is possible to waive the benefit.

Processing times of the measure

The ordinary deadline for issuing the measures is set at 30 days under Law no. 241/1990. In some cases the law may set different deadlines.

The table (in Italian) shows the deadlines exceeding thirty days, set by the Institute with a Regulation, and specifies the relevant manager.