The City of Makarska, a well-known coastal center which according to the latest estimates has approximately 13,000 residents, strives year after year to improve the quality of life of its fellow citizens.

Ahead of the upcoming spring holidays, the local administration has decided to once again demonstrate strong social sensitivity. According to the recently published official decision signed by Mayor Zoran Paunović, more generous funds have been secured for the payment of one-time financial assistance to the most vulnerable members of society.

Strong growth in support compared to the previous year

A comparison of this year's and last year's amounts clearly indicates a major step forward in financially helping citizens. During the previous year, depending on which specific social category they belonged to, citizens were entitled to 50 or 70 euros in occasional support. This year the situation is significantly more favorable, and the amount has been substantially increased to 80 euros as a one-time payment. The new model is also considerably fairer because the amount is now equalized for absolutely all eligible applicant groups, thereby directly making it easier to prepare the holiday table for those who need the help of the local community the most.

Detailed overview of eligible categories and conditions

The right to receive this year's support of 80 euros may be requested by all pensioners whose total monthly income from pensions, whether domestic or foreign, does not exceed the threshold of 600 euros per month. In addition to them, the right is also granted to Croatian veterans from the Homeland War older than 50 who are registered as recipients of unemployment benefits with the competent administrative department of Split-Dalmatia County. Assistance is also secured for other unemployed persons older than 50, under the strict condition that they have been continuously registered with the records of the competent employment office for longer than 12 months. Additionally, the measure also includes recipients of the national allowance for elderly persons, as well as parent caregivers, caregivers of children with developmental disabilities, and persons with disabilities.

Important dates and mandatory application documentation

The official process for receiving applications opened on March 5, and all interested parties have until March 25 of this year to submit completed forms. Applications are submitted to the competent administrative department for public needs and social activities. The necessary forms can be physically collected at the reception desk of the city administration or simply downloaded in digital form from the city's official website. Along with the application form itself, it is mandatory to attach a double-sided copy of the identity card and a document clearly showing the personal identification number and bank account, that is, the IBAN. Depending on the category, it is also necessary to attach specific evidence such as a pension slip. It is extremely important to emphasize that applications arriving outside the specified deadline or those lacking the prescribed supporting documentation will not be considered and will be automatically rejected.

The increase in the threshold and the amounts of occasional support themselves is a clear indication of a thoughtful social policy that actively adapts to the real needs of citizens. At a time when inflation and rising living costs disproportionately affect households with the lowest incomes, such direct interventions by local authorities represent a key safety mechanism. One-time payments may not be able to solve deep economic problems in the long term, but they certainly restore a sense of dignity and belonging to the community during the most important family holidays. Systematic care for the most vulnerable layers of society should be the absolute priority of every public administration, and examples like this of aligning thresholds are certainly a good guide in that direction.