The total amount of money paid to 200,000 beneficiaries as a social dividend sums up to 133.2 million euros. Up to 205,912 households had already applied until the end of the first deadline, initially set May 3. Successful applicants will receive their benefits in the first 10 days of May. Ahead of crucial European and local elections, Antonis Samaras stated that his efforts focus on helping those who suffered the most from the crisis, thus most of the benefits are expected to be distributed to low-income pensioners and to those earning less that 6,500 per year.
According to reports though, banks intended to withhold this amount from account or credit card holders to offset their debts.
The Greek Finance Minister Giannis Stournaras underlined that the social dividend is “non-taxable, non-deductible and cannot be seized with other debts to the state or banks.” He and his deputy Christos Staikouras tried to ensure the amount will be delivered as a whole to the hands of the beneficiaries.
The second deadline for the remaining social dividend applications is June 30 and the total amount given is expected to reach up to 450 million euros.
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