What expats need to know about contacting Mazarron Social Services

Mazarrón Social Services concerned expats are not making contact because of uncertainty about the system and the language barrier

In meetings between the Camposol Business Association and Mazarrón Councillor for Camposol, Carmen Navarro, accompanied by the Lead Social Worker for the area including Camposol, concern was voiced by the Social Services representative that non-Spanish residents who could be in need of the resources offered by Social Services are slipping through the net as because they are not applying for reasons including uncertainty about the system and the language barrier.

The process for receiving assistance from Mazarrón Social Services starts with a meeting with the Lead Social Worker who speaks good English. To arrange a meeting, phone the Social Services Centre on 0034 968 33 93 61 (for anyone not confident of their Spanish language skills, it may be worth enlisting the help of a more confident Spanish speaker for this part).

Mazarrón Social Services have supplied the following information regarding the procedure and requirements for access to Social Services:

1. BE REGISTERED IN THE MUNICIPAL REGISTER (PADRÓN): Without this registration on the municipal padrón it will not be possible to access any social services resources from the Mazarrón municipality or have access to a normal Health Card that allows assignment to a regular doctor. In the case of not being registered, provision of medical attention will only be emergency and if in serious cases that must be treated with hospital stay, medical tests or surgery the resulting invoice must be paid.

2. SOCIAL SERVICES: A minimum of 6 months of registration on the municipal padrón is required to be able to access general services. If padrón registration is less than 6 months the case would be referred to an NGO (non-government organisation, usually CRUZ ROJA), they provide very punctual attention, but only with essential products such as water or blankets, nothing more.

3. FINANCIAL AID: The Regulations for access to municipal financial aid for the attention of social needs – published in the regional BORM 10/30/2020 and on the website of Mazarrón Town Council. This aid spans various types but the main stipulation is to meet the length of stay criteria (minimum 6 months) in Mazarrón and an income limit according to the type of family unit.

4. MUNICIPAL HOME HELP SERVICE: Entitlement to this service is only provided if the padrón requirement is met. Proof of low income will also have to be demonstrated as if the applicant has sufficient income it is considered that this service can be paid for privately. If you meet the criteria, the service is provided free of charge for a limited number of hours a week. This may include personal services (personal hygiene, dressing, eating, etc.) and domestic (cleanliness and keeping the house in order) as well as accompaniment (to go shopping, to the bank, etc.) In addition, the main condition is that at the same time the Valoración de Grado de Dependencia (Assessment of Degree of Dependency) must be requested (see item 6).

5. FIRST ASSESSMENT. A social worker will make a visit to the home to make a first assessment of the situation and will deliver the application form that must include a medical report in official document format. This report must be completed by the regular doctor. Currently, the Town Council has an agreement with the company OHLA INGESÁN to provide these services.

6. ASSESSMENT OF DEGREE OF DEPENDENCY: For people who need help and support with the activities of daily living, eating, dressing, taking medication, bathing, movement, etc. In Spain, the Dependency Law says that non-EU foreigners must be registered on a padrón for at least 5 years, the last two consecutive, in order to access this assessment. This request is processed by IMAS which is the social management body of the Region of Murcia. The process is slow; it can take almost a year. The application is sent in an official form with a medical report and other documentation. A few months later, a home visit from an IMAS representative will take place in the form of an interview to provide verification of the situation. Finally, a Degree (of Dependency) is received, which can be I, II, III.

7. AFTER OBTAINING THE DEGREE OF DEPENDENCY: This will allow access to the services and benefits of the system ranging from Home Help, place in Day Centre for the elderly or disabled, nursing home, etc. Depending on the economic capacity of the person, sometimes these services are free or have a small co-payment contribution.

8. IF YOU LIVE IN SPAIN AND DO NOT CARRY OUT THE DEPENDENCY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES: In cases where the Dependency Assessment procedure has not been completed access will not be available to any of the State supplied or co-funded services mentioned in point 7 and all the required services will have to be covered by private payment.

9. MINIMUM LIVING INCOME (IMV): It is the most important benefit of the Spanish Social Security at the moment. It only requires residency for 1 continuous year in the Spanish state for non-EU foreigners and is only available to people of working age, between 18 and 65 years old.

10. APPLICATION FOR MINIMUM LIVING INCOME (IMV): The IMV application can be done on paper by sending all documentation to the registry in the Town Hall directly to Social Security or electronically, through its website (INSS-IMV). This is an economic benefit that guarantees receiving sufficient income according to established tables that assess the number of members of the family unit and its economic capacity. It is not a provision of Social Services, but rather Social Security, so although Social Services can advise on the process it cannot perform or report on the status of a request, response, etc. To do this, once the application has been sent, Social Security must be consulted directly.

11. VICTIMS OF GENDER VIOLENCE: A resource worth mentioning in the municipality is the CAVI: Centre for Attention to Victims of gender violence. Where a team of social workers, psychologists, educators, lawyers, etc. attend to and advise these women (only women) The telephone number to make an appointment is 0034 968 592 394

OBSERVATIONS: The status of the British population in Spain has changed since Brexit. Now they must have all their residence documentation up to date (TIE/Residencia, NIE, valid passports), be registered correctly on the municipal padrón and home details, if available, registered in the municipal catastral (land registry) and property register of Mazarrón, to obtain a Health Card and assigned doctor.

Mazarrón Social Services are available by appointment for the area of ​​Camposol, El Saladillo and Country Club and nearby areas at the Social Services office in Mazarrón to make an appointment phone 968 339 361. The Mazarrón Social Services office is located at 12, Calle San Antonio, Mazarrón.

Office opening hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm.

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