Parents of children with developmental disabilities in Montenegro are facing significant delays in obtaining decisions from social medical commissions at local social work centers. Many families report waiting for several months without any information about the status of their applications. This situation has raised serious concerns among advocacy groups, who claim that such delays are unjustifiable and leave families without essential rights and benefits.
According to Milisav Korać, the president of the Association of Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities, these delays exacerbate the already challenging circumstances faced by families. He emphasized that the lack of timely decisions from these commissions constitutes a systemic problem for which the responsible ministry bears significant responsibility.
Korać noted that when rights are eventually granted, they are retroactive to the following month after the application is submitted, highlighting the importance of prompt processing. He underscored that there is no valid excuse for such extensive waiting periods, stating, “This only confirms how difficult the situation is for children and young people with developmental difficulties and the families they live in.”
Systemic Issues Highlighted by Advocacy Groups
International reports consistently indicate that individuals with disabilities in Montenegro struggle to secure their rights and face various forms of discrimination. Korać pointed out that this situation is highlighted annually in European Commission reports, which cite systemic inadequacies in the treatment of disabled persons.
Marina Vujačić, the executive director of the Association of Youth with Disabilities in Montenegro, confirmed that delays are primarily due to the malfunctioning of these commissions. She explained that the previous commissions’ mandates expired, leading to a backlog of unresolved requests. Although new commissions were formed in the last quarter of 2022, they reportedly held only one meeting, further compounding the problem.
Families are left waiting for decisions on their applications, with reports indicating some have been pending since June. Vujačić warned that many individuals who had been granted assistance have seen their rights expire while waiting for the commissions to convene. This delay not only affects financial support but also prevents access to related benefits, such as travel allowances and utility subsidies.
Legal Avenues for Affected Families
Both Vujačić and Korać stress that families have legal mechanisms available to challenge these delays. Individuals can file complaints with the Ombudsman or even pursue legal action against the administration for its inaction. Vujačić noted that under the Law on Social and Child Protection, if a decision is not made within a month of application, it constitutes a violation of rights.
Vujačić criticized the practice of suggesting retroactive payments as a justification for prolonged waiting periods. Although institutions assure applicants that any differences will be compensated retroactively once their rights are recognized, this does not alleviate the immediate financial burdens many families face.
The Ministry of Social Welfare, which oversees these commissions, has not responded to repeated inquiries about the reasons for the delays or how families can assert their legal rights. Both Korać and Vujačić called for greater accountability and action from the ministry to resolve these pressing issues.
Goran Laković from the NGO “Niste sami” urged parents to take specific steps to expedite their cases. He suggested submitting written requests referencing their application numbers, which the centers are obliged to respond to within eight days. Additionally, he recommended that parents file complaints with the Ombudsman for violations of their right to social protection.
Laković also criticized the government’s disregard for the concerns raised by NGOs, journalists, and the public, stating, “The ministry speaks more through its inaction than a thousand empty promises.” He noted that the most significant delays are in Podgorica and Nikšić, though other cities are experiencing similar issues.
The absence of a comprehensive registry of individuals with disabilities remains a longstanding issue, complicating the ability of families to access the benefits they are entitled to. Laković concluded by stating that parents will not relent in their demands for timely action, emphasizing that their children’s futures depend on the resolution of these systemic problems.
As of now, thousands of requests remain pending across various municipalities, with some centers reporting backlogs of nearly 2,000 unresolved applications. Without swift intervention from the Ministry of Social Welfare, families will continue to face significant challenges in securing their rights and benefits.
