Hungary: The treatment of and services available to mentally handicapped persons (January 2000 - May 2001)

The International Helsinki Federation's Women 2000 report states:

A woman caring for a disabled family member can apply for three basic forms of financial assistance, which are regulated by Act 111 of 1993 on Social Administration and Social Allowances and Act LXXXIV of 1998 on Family Support. The parent, stepparent or guardian are entitled to "childcare aid" until the child reaches the age of ten if he/she looks after a sick or severely disabled child in his/her household. Aid can be extended by the Minister of Social and Family Affairs until the child reaches the age of 14. The amount of aid equals the minimum amount of an old age pension (at present the gross sum is USD 60), irrespective of the number of children being cared for. The parent, step-parent or guardian are also entitled to a "family allowance" if he/she looks after a sick or severely disabled child (person) in his /her household, which is paid in accordance with the number of children being looked after (USD 28 per month in the case of severely disabled children). Support can also be applied for on a needs basis and is granted by the local self-government. This "nursing fee" is an allowance that can be made payable to a person looking after a relative requiring constant attention in his/her own household. The amount cannot be less than the actual minimum amount of an old age pension.

Disabled women are entitled to the same forms of support as disabled men and the so-called "disability pension" is regulated by Act LXXXI of 1997 on the Different Forms of Pension. A person loses his/her ability to work owing to health reasons, physical or mental deterioration of at least 67% and where no improvement may be excepted in his/her condition for one year, shall receive a disability pension provided that he/she has the required service time and that he/she does not work on a regular basis or his/her wage is significantly lower than before the disability. The amount is defined by the percentage of the wage before the person became disabled and depends on how long the person was part of the social security system. There is a special form of pension for people disabled in industrial accidents that are calculated somewhat differently.

Act XXV1 of 1998 on the Rights and Equal Chances of Disabled Persons was a very important step towards recognising the special needs of disabled persons. The Act prohibits negative discrimination; obliges the state to guarantee the rights of disabled persons; defines the fields in which the state is obliged to take steps to guarantee equal chances for disabled persons (i.e. obstacle-free environments and public transportation, integrated education, favourable employment conditions, system of compensation for extra expenses stemming from the disability, etc.) and defines the deadlines by which the state must fulfil these obligations (20005 for some obligations and 2010 for others). The Act also established "The National Council of Disabled Persons Affairs" as a coordinating structure and it created the legal background for disabled persons to bring a lawsuit if their rights are violated. Disabled persons over 18 are entitled to partial reimbursement for extra expenditures caused by their disability ("disabled support"), the monthly amount of which is 80% of the actual minimum old age pension (2000).

No additional information on the treatment of and services available to mentally handicapped persons in Hungary could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference

International Helsinki Federation [Vienna]. Women 2000, p. 202. [Accessed 17 May 2001]

Additional Sources Consulted

Correspondence sent to two sources.

One source contacted did not provide information on the requested topic.

Unsuccessful attempts to contact other sources.

IRB databases

NEXIS/LEXIS

Internet sites including:

The Association for the Severely Handicapped Disability Advocacy Worldwide

Disability Rights Advocate

Disabled People's International

Hokkaido University Slavic Research Centre

Hungarian Helsinki Committee

Institute in Independent Living

Mental Disability Rights International

World Health Organization

World News Connection