I do not work, I have a disability since birth. Will I receive a higher benefit in 2026?

The New Year will bring changes to the tax system. Residents are asking many questions on this topic, writes LA.lv.

I want to know if the state social security benefit for people with disabilities since birth who do not work will increase in 2026? I am specifically interested in the II group of disability!” asks Zanda.

She is answered by Zanda Bejnare, a senior expert at the Department of Social Services and Disability Policy of the Ministry of Welfare:

“According to the Law on State Social Benefits, the amount of the state social security benefit (hereinafter – GSSB) is linked to the median income per equivalent consumer per month, meaning it is calculated as a percentage of the median income.

For persons with disabilities, this is generally 22% of the median income, and for persons with disabilities since childhood – 25%, according to the data from the Central Statistical Bureau.

The amounts of GSSB are reviewed annually on January 1 based on the current value of the median income. This means that when the median income changes, the benefit amounts also change.

For persons with I and II groups of disability, coefficients are applied when calculating the benefit amount:

for persons with I group disability — 1.4 and an additional payment of 30% if the person does not work;
for persons with II group disability — 1.2 and an additional payment of 20% if the person does not work.

The median income for 2023, which is currently 850.02 euros per month, will be used to calculate benefits for 2026.

Thus, from January 1, 2026, the amounts of social security benefits for all persons with disabilities will be reviewed in accordance with the current median income.

Additional information about the minimum income level, including the amounts of benefits from 2026, can be found on the ministry's website in the section "Minimum Income Level."

The revision of the benefit amount will occur automatically — residents do not need to submit a separate application to the State Social Insurance Agency (SSIA).

It should also be noted that according to part 4.1 of Article 17 of the Law on State Social Benefits, the benefit is paid for the previous month — that is, the January (already increased) benefit will be paid in February, the February benefit will be paid in March, and so on.”

This means that yes — the social security benefit (GSSB) will increase in 2026 if the median income of residents of Latvia, to which it is linked, rises.

“From 2026, the minimum amounts of disability pensions will also increase: for the II group — 298.20 euros, for the III group — 213 euros per month. If the disability is established from childhood, the minimum amounts of pensions will be: for the II group — 357 euros, for the III group — 255 euros,” added the senior expert of the Social Insurance Department, Dace Trushinska.