Almeria politician asks how many more must die waiting for benefits

BETWEEN 2013 and June 2015, 580 people in Almeria who had applied for benefits under the Dependence Law died waiting for an answer, the Partido Popular (PP) party has complained.

The figures, announced by Andalucian PP delegate Aranzazu Martin, are one of the lowest in absolute terms for Andalucian provinces, yet the delegate insists they show a lack of responsibility on the Junta de Andalucia regional government’s part.

“We don’t know how many more people will have to die in Almeria waiting for an answer or to receive their benefits,” Martin said.

The Junta was quick to respond, placing the blame on the central government, which it claims has made cutbacks to its contributions to dependence benefits leading to lack of funds.

Martin also took the chance to complain about growing lengths of waiting lists in the province, claiming that there are more than 4,000 dependents in Almeria who are getting no financial help.

Official figures meanwhile show that last year, 15,628 people in the province were claiming benefits of some sort.