People with an intellectual disability (IF) often have support through sickness or activity compensation.
The previous government appointed an inquiry to review and strengthen their financial security – an inquiry that the current government has closed.
Funktionsrätt Sverige critical
The study, called "A more appropriate calculation of sickness compensation and activity compensation", was to ensure that the benefits followed the income development in the rest of society.
Just before Christmas 2022, however, the current government chose to close the investigation, which the organization Funktionsrätt Sverige is critical of.
– The inquiry was about reviewing the economic conditions and its inequalities for people with disabilities in relation to other people who have the opportunity to work fully. We were very happy that it was started, but now it will be a concern when it is closed, because it is about people who cannot work on the same terms as others, says Elisabeth Wallenius, chairman of Funktionsrätt Sverige.
Minister Anna Tenje (M) answers
Minister for the Elderly and Social Security Anna Tenje (M) writes in an email to SVT regarding the closed investigation:
"The inquiry was tasked with submitting proposals to change the method of calculating sickness and activity compensation, such as how the benefits should be recalculated over time. But given the high inflation, the mark-up based on the price base amount has represented a significantly stronger increase than, for example, wage earners."
She also writes that the government is closely following the issue of reimbursements and health insurance. And that if any rule changes regarding health insurance, among other things, affect individuals' ability to return to work, the government will take the necessary measures.