For three years, Íngrid Ruiz logged onto the online administrative portal of the Generalitat every single day without success, hoping to request a vital social assistance grant known as the PUA (Prestació d’atenció social a les persones amb discapacitat). Ruiz, who has both legs amputated and relies on a wheelchair, was forced to shoulder the financial burden of essential mobility products out of her own pocket while the grants remained frozen.
Ruiz had to pay more than 15,000 euros directly for equipment required to maintain her daily quality of life. The out-of-pocket expenses covered a specialized motor to help navigate uphill routes, a motorized handlebar system designed for unstable terrain, and an adapted vehicle without which driving would be impossible. The administrative freeze on the PUA grants, which began in 2023, left people facing bills for indispensable daily aids.
Three Years of Financial Strain for Disabled Residents
However, restored funding cannot reverse what Ruiz describes as the "desgast econòmic i emocional" endured throughout this time.
The PUA grants are designed to finance indispensable daily elements for people with disabilities. When applications stalled in 2023, applicants requiring technical support found themselves without institutional backing. For individuals like Ruiz, specialized additions such as terrain-handling handlebars and slope-assisting motors are prerequisites for basic independence.
The Heavy Cost of Institutional Backlogs
Regional officials have restarted the calls for applications, but those who took on debt or exhausted their reserves over the past three years remain affected.
Portal Reopens Amid Mounting Administrative Backlogs
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