Hoti pushes back on child-benefit abuse claims: Decisions follow criteria, differences do not mean abuse

Minister of Labor, Family and War Liberation Values Andin Hoti reacted today to child benefits, saying it is unacceptable that “without any fact, without any argument” and “without spending even two minutes reading the legislation in force,” baseless claims of misuse are fabricated.

According to Hoti, the number of beneficiaries under the Child Benefits Program is dynamic and constantly changing, as a result of applying the criteria set for the program and updating beneficiary data.

These changes are influenced by various factors, such as the inclusion of new children in the program, reaching the age of 16, changes in beneficiaries’ circumstances, updating and harmonizing data with institutional registries, as well as regular verification processes.

Hoti explained that when additional verifications are needed, payments may be suspended until procedures are completed, but suspension during verification does not automatically mean final removal from the program or a finding of misuse.

“Consequently, the difference in the number of beneficiaries in different months cannot be considered in its entirety as the number of people who have misused the program, nor automatically translated into financial damage,” Hoti said, adding that each case is treated individually and where unfounded benefit is found, action is taken according to the legislation in force.

Source: Klan Kosova