Cyprus

The social security scheme was established in 1957 and is administered by the Social Insurance Services (Υπηρεσίες Κοινωνικών Ασφαλίσεων), a governmental body under the control and supervision of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance (Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικών Ασφαλίσεων). The Head Office of the Social Insurance Services is responsible for the application of social policy, decision making and payment of benefits and pensions as well as coordinating the various district offices which are mainly responsible for receiving claims, collecting contributions and for inspections.

The social security scheme covers all employees and the self-employed as well as persons doing military service for the risks of old age, death, disability, sickness, maternity, work injury and unemployment. A Social Pension is also available to persons residing in Cyprus over retirement age provided that they satisfy prescribed residence conditions and are not entitled to any pension or other payment which is higher than the amount of the Social Pension.

The Social Welfare Services (Υπηρεσίες Κοινωνικής Ευημερίας), a governmental body under the control and supervision of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance (Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικών Ασφαλίσεων), is responsible for providing and promoting social welfare services.

The Department for Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (Τμήμα Κοινωνικής Ενσωμάτωσης Ατόμων με Αναπηρίες), established in January 2009 under the control and supervision of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance (Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικών Ασφαλίσεων), is responsible for the formulation, coordination, implementation, monitoring and control of policies for the social protection and social inclusion of persons with disabilities.

The Grants and Benefits Service (Υπηρεσία Χορηγιών και Επιδομάτων), under the Ministry of Finance (Υπουργείο Οικονομικών), implements legislation on child benefit and mother's allowance and administers the “Scheme for supporting pensioners with low income” which is a cash benefit scheme for pensioners’ households which have a total annual income below the poverty threshold.

The Ministry of Health (Υπουργείο Υγείας) is mainly responsible for the organization of the health care system and the provision of state-financed health care services and formulates national health policies, coordinates the activities of both the private and the public sector, regulates health care standards and promotes the enactment of relevant legislation.

 The District Administration Offices (Επαρχιακές Διοικήσεις), under the control of the Ministry of the Interior (Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών), are - inter alia - responsible for submitting proposals in collaboration with other departments to formulate Government policy on socioeconomic development in the districts.