News Details

After the experience of the pilot projects created under the MAVI – Support Model for Independent Living, by Decree-Law No 129/2017 of 9 October 2017, and with the aim of safeguarding the continuity of the implementation of the MAVI, as an engine for inclusion and self-determination of persons with disabilities, Ministerial Implementing Order No 415/2023 of 7 December 2023 lays down the conditions for the creation, installation, organisation and operation of the social response to the personal assistance service to support persons with disabilities, which is based on the development of the MAVI. This Ordinance applies to all entities that promote and make available the personal support service for persons with disabilities, regardless of the source of funding.

The implementation of the MAVI shall be implemented by the independent living support centres (CAVI), and the National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P. (INR, I.P.), in conjunction with the Institute of Social Security, I.P. (ISS, I.P.), shall recognise the CAVI established in accordance with this Order.

The exercise of the activity of personal assistant is dependent on the possession of specific professional training or certification of qualifications obtained through the process of recognition, validation and certification of skills (RVCC). This training is provided to those who hold a certificate of training provided for in Decree-Law No 129/2017 of 9 October 2017, in its current wording, and have provided effective work.

MAVI is financed through the system of cooperation between the governmental area that oversees social security and the entities that promote and provide the personal assistance service, with the financing, eligible expenses and respective limits defined in an order of the member of government responsible for the social security area.

The personal assistance service for the disabled or incapacitated person does not determine the payment of family assistance.

Between the ISS, I.P. and the entities that aim to implement a CAVI, cooperation agreements are concluded for the development and implementation of the social response, the ISS, I.P. being responsible for the allocation of funding and the beneficiary entities for the implementation of the response.

The national coordinating body for MAVI shall be the INR, I.P. and the ISS, I.P., under terms to be defined in a separate order to be issued by the member of government responsible for social security.

It is the responsibility of the INR, I.P., in conjunction with the ISS, I.P., and a national multidisciplinary team to support the MAVI to be set up - composed of members of both entities and chaired by the INR, I.P. - to monitor the activity of the CAVI, ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Ministerial Implementing Order.

The Ministerial Implementing Order shall take effect on 1 January 2024, with legal situations established under Decree-Law No 129/2017 of 9 October 2017 being safeguarded until the projects are fully implemented.

For more information, the following texts can be consulted: - Ministerial Implementing Order No 415/2023 of 7 December 2023; - Ministerial Implementing Order No 412/2023 of 6 December 2023.