The Inspectorate-General of Health Activities (Inspeção-Geral das Atividades em Saúde or IGAS) is investigating a doctor from Benavente suspected of charging 1,000 euros to facilitate fraudulent disability pensions. Beneficiaries of the scheme may face criminal charges and be required to return funds received improperly from the state.

The government approved an increase in the funeral allowance for minors and people with disabilities, raising the benefit from approximately 268 euros to 1,611 euros. Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro stated the change corrects a discriminatory practice that previously limited reimbursement based on an individual's contributory career. The new amount is equivalent to three times the Social Support Index (Indexante de Apoios Sociais or IAS).

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) and CDS-People's Party (CDS-PP) have voted against a proposal to guarantee 100% sick pay for oncology patients. While the government recently increased support for parents of children with cancer, it argued against extending the full benefit to all cancer patients at this time. Patients and their families should note that the government has also established a new National Interministerial Coordination Commission for Long-Term Care (Comissão Nacional de Coordenação Interministerial dos Cuidados de Longa Duração) to improve elderly care services.

Workers can now check their sickness benefit (subsídio de doença) amount immediately through the Social Security portal (Segurança Social Direta). The value is calculated as soon as the medical certificate (Certificado de Incapacidade Temporária) is entered into the system by health services. Employees should be aware they can also view the specific calculation method in their personal area. Workers should note that this digital update also allows for online filing of work accident forms.