The Government of Aruba submitted a draft law today introducing a disability allowance for parents of children with special needs. The presentation took place in the Council of Ministers Hall and was handed over by the Prime Minister of Aruba, Mr. Mike Eman, together with the Minister of Social Affairs, Drs. Mervin Wyatt-Ras.
Both ministers have been working on this issue since the beginning of their term, starting at the opening of Parliament, collaborating on a draft law to introduce changes to the social assistance system for children with specific limitations or disabilities. Through this law, children and/or their parents will be able to receive compensation, as they are currently not covered under Aruba’s social assistance legislation.
This step is necessary in light of the needs observed among parents, as indicated by Prime Minister Eman. The costs associated with caring for children with disabilities are significantly higher than what the community generally sees, presenting a major challenge.
At the time the draft law was submitted, Parliament was in session. Both ministers continued to push forward, sending multiple letters to the relevant ministry during that period, but the law did not advance at that time.
Nevertheless, Ministers Eman and Wyatt-Ras continued their efforts, visiting various institutions to gather sufficient knowledge about the needs involved. This ensured that once in government, they could develop a law fully aligned with those needs.
After assuming office on Friday, March 28, work began immediately the following Monday. Under the direction of Minister Wyatt-Ras, together with a commission, the work on the law progressed, making it possible to submit the draft law today.
Prime Minister Eman expressed his great satisfaction in announcing that the 2026 budget, approved by Parliament, already includes allocated funds to introduce this law as of June 1, 2026.
The Minister of Public Health, Social Affairs, Elderly Care, and Addiction Management, Mr. Wyatt-Ras, also expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the strong collaboration and dedication to this draft law. Meetings were held with various institutions and schools, and for the first time parents were actively involved. Immediately upon entering government, the process began through the “landspakket,” supported by legislative jurist Jill Bangert, who provided substantial assistance throughout the process.
Minister Wyatt-Ras initially hoped to receive the draft law as a Christmas gift; when that was not achieved, it became a Sinterklaas gift. Jill Bangert fulfilled this goal, and by December 5, the draft concept was ready.
The final draft was approved by the Council of Ministers and, with its accompanying decree and the allocated budget, has now been submitted to the Department of Legislation and Legal Affairs (DWJZ) under the responsibility of George Croes. The law will now go through analysis, advisory review, and responses before proceeding to the Advisory Council and eventually to Parliament for approval.
“This is a very emotional moment,” said Minister Mervin Wyatt-Ras. “A draft law that truly touches the heart.”
This law will greatly benefit children and young people with special needs. Previously, the law applied only to those aged 16 and older, while this new draft covers children from birth up to 18 years of age. When a parent has a child diagnosed with a certain disability, they can apply for the disability allowance, particularly for children requiring intensive care.
The disability allowance will help cover various expenses, including special nutrition, testing, therapy, care services, and other needs arising from the intensive attention many of these children require. In some cases, home adaptations or specialized equipment may also be necessary.
Regarding the amount, the ministers explained that a basic allowance of 500 florins per child will be introduced for all approved applicants. This amount serves as a starting point, as initial registration will first be assessed. Adjustments to the amount will be evaluated and may be made depending on the number of children who qualify.
This represents a major step toward inclusion. Many children are currently unable to attend school, participate in recreational activities, or fully engage in community life due to transportation, mobility, or other limitations. This support will help ensure that every child can be included in society.
Prime Minister Eman also noted that during neighborhood visits, many families shared their challenges, particularly parents who are forced to leave their jobs to care for children with special needs due to a lack of alternatives. As a result, household income becomes an even greater challenge, and the financial burden weighs heavily on these families. This compensation will provide much-needed relief.
When there is a child with special needs at home, families often face additional costs such as visits to medical specialists, speech therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists—expenses that are mostly not covered by AZV. This assistance will therefore be of great importance to these families.
It is expected that once the law enters into force on June 1, 2026, parents will begin registering and applying for the allowance. Gradually, a clearer picture will emerge of the number of beneficiaries and their needs, allowing future budgets to better reflect real figures, which are currently difficult to calculate due to the diversity and complexity within this group.
Press Release – AVP–FUTURO Government
