Greece expands OPEKA hearing‑aid subsidy, doubling beneficiaries

The Organisation for the Protection of the Social Insurance Fund (OPEKA) now pays a €391 monthly subsidy to people with severe hearing loss or deafness. Eligibility requires a disability rating of 67 % or higher certified by the KEPA committee, and the programme no longer imposes an age limit, allowing adults aged 18‑65 to apply.

Within a year the number of recipients grew from about 6,300 to 12,200, and the monthly outlay rose from €2.5 million to €4.8 million. If a beneficiary receives another benefit for the same condition that is lower than €391, OPEKA tops up the amount; if the other benefit is equal to or higher, no additional payment is made. Receiving a pension does not affect eligibility.