The Court of Accounts has noticed irregularities in the pensions paid by the Government to those known as Children of War, that is, those who were exiled as a result of the Civil War. The amount of these benefits amounts to more than 4 million eurosavailable now 792 beneficiaries, the majority still live in countries such as Mexico, Argentina or Chile. The most surprising thing is that, according to the highest management authority, the Government implemented pension changes in 2021 – the last year under review – without need “life certificates”with only a “phone check” being done in some cases.
“While this verification is deemed appropriate, It is not enough alone, due to the impossibility of being sure of the survival of the beneficiary’s requirements for its collection, which is particularly relevant in this case due to the high age of the beneficiaries of this benefit,” pointed out the auditors of their report, to which OKDIARIO has access.
In addition to the pensions paid by the Government to Franco’s exiles, the supervisors of the Court of Accounts also noticed. “unusual disabilities” to administer pensions, benefits and assistance to emigrants. For example, according to this organization, no automated control is allowed about files, or their request is difficult. Currently, the register registers more than 2.5 million emigrants in Spain, and the total assistance exceeds 52 million euros.
Delay in help
Regarding the welfare pensions given to elderly emigrants due to old age, the Court of Auditors said a “great delay” in their resolution and provision, which in some cases may be reached. almost two years.
The auditors pointed out that the department responsible for the management and resolution of these pensions “has a significant lack of personnel to carry out the assigned tasks.”
The beneficiaries of these benefits have increased significantly in recent years. Therefore, it is emphasized that “between the years 2017 and 2021 there will be an increase in 238.14% of the number of beneficiariesmainly returned to the Spanish from
from Venezuela”.
Unresolved requests
“There is one high number of requests awaiting resolution, especially for 1,395 at the end of March 2022, presented in the years 2021 and 2022. The delay in the resolution and granting of these pensions is enough, reaching up to 15 months, to increase this delay to 21 months for applications that are not even recorded in the computer application, which failed to comply with the 6-month period given by order, says the Court of Auditors.
In addition, the agency warns of the risk of incorrect perceptions because the General Directorate of Migration does not have access to the Registry of Public Social Benefits, so it is not possible to check the suitability of other assistance.
Likewise, it warns that “the control and review systems for pensions and benefits do not allow us to determine the income of the beneficiaries, so there is a risk of incorrect perception.”
these pensions and benefits. And it is emphasized that “the considerable delay in the processing and approval of supporting accounts for payments abroad represents a poor management of this assistance, which must be improved.”
