Aruba proposes Afl. 500 monthly allowance for children requiring intensive care

ORANJESTAD — A bill currently before Aruba's Parliament proposes a monthly allowance of Afl. 500 for each eligible child requiring intensive care, with implementation targeted for January 2027, subject to parliamentary approval.

During an information session at YMCA San Nicolas, Chanin Boekhoudt of the Department of Social Affairs and Wiebren van Dijk of Landspakket Aruba explained the proposed eligibility criteria and application process.

An important feature of the legislation is that eligibility would not depend on a specific illness or disability diagnosis. Instead, the primary criterion would be the intensity of additional care a child requires in daily life compared with children without such limitations.

The proposal aims to address a gap in existing legislation, as financial assistance for persons with disabilities is currently available from age 16, leaving younger children with intensive care needs outside the existing scheme.

Preliminary estimates based on Central Bureau of Statistics figures suggest approximately 400 children could be relevant to the initiative. However, the actual number eligible will only become clear once applications are assessed.

The information session also allowed parents to provide feedback on proposed application forms.

The legislation has not yet been approved. Applications can only begin once Parliament adopts the law and the necessary implementation arrangements are established.