Canary Islands Experiences Significant Drop in Dependency Waiting Lists
The Canary Islands has seen a 33.5% reduction in waiting lists for dependency assistance in the first nine months of 2023, making it the second-best performer among Spain’s autonomous communities, just behind Asturias. This figure, reported by the State Dependency Observatory, contrasts sharply with the national average and highlights a continuing issue in the region, where over 14,000 individuals are still awaiting support.
Despite the improvement, the Islands remain in fourth place countrywide for the number of people waiting for dependency services, with 14,638 currently on the list. This is a decrease of 7,385 compared to last year. Catalonia tops the list with 67,319 individuals in need, followed by Andalusia and the Valencian Community.
The Canary Islands has the highest percentage of those in a “dependency limbo,” where 15.5% are still awaiting benefits, well above the national average. However, the region has also seen a significant increase in those receiving benefits, with a rise of 39.1% in beneficiaries and 17.1% in those with recognised rights to assistance.
The average wait time for assistance now stands at 214 days, slightly below the national average but still above the legal maximum of 180 days. This represents a decrease of 216 days over the past year. Across Spain, 21,374 individuals on the waiting list have died between January and September this year, including 519 in the Canary Islands—a worrying statistic highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The report shows that 236,736 individuals are currently waiting for some form of processing within the dependency system. Although there has been an 8.3% reduction in wait times this year, experts warn that this pace is insufficient, projecting that it could take up to eight years to fully address the backlog.
The wait time from application to resolution for benefits is now about 10 months, exceeding the six-month standard set by regulations. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the quality of services, as funding from the national government has not led to significant progress in reducing waiting lists or improving the quality of care services.
The report concludes by noting a trend towards lower-cost services, such as teleassistance and family care, which officials contend does not effectively meet the needs of those reliant on support. The average assistance offered through home help services has fallen to just 39 hours per month, while the average family care payment is €260 monthly, and residential service support stands at €545 per month.
A reform of the Dependency and Disability laws is set to take effect on 23 October, aimed at reducing bureaucracy and enhancing entitlements and public financing.
