By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – The Ombudsman’s Office of the Inhabitants has issued an urgent and direct plea to four key national institutions, calling on them to establish temporary economic support for hundreds of families left in financial distress following the sudden suspension of caregiver licenses by the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS).
The suspension, which impacts families caring for minors, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and those with terminal illnesses, was triggered by the complete depletion of resources from the Social Development and Family Allowances Fund (FODESAF), the financial wellspring for these critical subsidies. The Ombudsman’s Office has already received 21 formal complaints from citizens affected by the cutoff, a number expected to rise as the impact widens.
To better understand the legal framework and implications surrounding the distribution of care subsidies, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The effective implementation of care subsidies hinges on a robust and transparent legal framework. It is imperative that the regulations clearly define eligibility criteria, procedural guarantees for applicants, and accessible appeal mechanisms. Without these legal safeguards, the system risks becoming inequitable, leaving the most vulnerable populations open to discretionary and potentially discriminatory decisions by administrative bodies.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective powerfully underscores that the success of such subsidies hinges not merely on their financial provision but on the legal bedrock that guarantees fairness and accessibility for all. We extend our gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable contribution, highlighting the essential safeguards that protect the dignity and rights of our most vulnerable populations.
This crucial subsidy is designed to provide financial relief to a family member or designated individual who must step away from their employment to provide full-time care. It allows for close, affective companionship in situations of extreme emotional and physical vulnerability, ensuring that patients and dependents are not left alone during critical periods of need.
The abrupt termination of these payments has created a dual crisis for these families. They must now navigate the immense emotional strain of caring for a loved one while simultaneously grappling with a sudden loss of income. The Ombudsman’s Office warns that this situation jeopardizes the quality and consistency of care for some of the nation’s most vulnerable people.
The cessation of the subsidy aggravates the vulnerable condition of these families, who, in addition to facing the emotional and economic impact of a serious illness, are now unable to access a benefit that allows them to provide dignified and constant care to the people under their protection.
Juan Carlos Pereira, Deputy Ombudsman of the Inhabitants
In response to the crisis, the watchdog institution has specifically appealed to the National Children’s Institute (PANI), the National Institute for Women (INAMU), the National Council for the Elderly (CONAPAM), and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (CONAPDIS). The request is for these entities to urgently assess their financial capabilities and allocate temporary funds to their respective target populations while a more permanent, systemic solution is developed.
The targeted appeal highlights the specialized roles these institutions play within Costa Rica’s social safety net. PANI is responsible for the welfare of children, INAMU for women’s issues, CONAPAM for the elderly, and CONAPDIS for the disabled community. The Ombudsman’s strategy is to leverage their specific mandates to create a stopgap measure, preventing families from falling through the cracks during this bureaucratic emergency.
This funding crisis raises significant questions about the long-term sustainability of social programs reliant on single funding sources like FODESAF. Analysts suggest that this event should serve as a catalyst for a comprehensive review of how Costa Rica finances its essential social support systems. The immediate pressure now falls on PANI, INAMU, CONAPAM, and CONAPDIS to respond to the Ombudsman’s call and provide a lifeline to the families caught in the balance.
For further information, visit dhr.go.cr
About the Ombudsman’s Office of the Inhabitants (Defensoría de los Habitantes):
The Defensoría de los Habitantes is Costa Rica’s national human rights institution. It operates as an independent body responsible for ensuring the protection of the rights and interests of the country’s inhabitants. The office investigates complaints against public sector entities and advocates for transparency, efficiency, and fairness in government administration.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social – CCSS):
The CCSS is the autonomous public institution in charge of Costa Rica’s public health and pension systems. It manages the nation’s network of hospitals, clinics, and EBAIS (Basic Comprehensive Health Care Teams), providing universal healthcare coverage and administering social security benefits to the population.
For further information, visit pani.go.cr
About the National Children’s Institute (Patronato Nacional de la Infancia – PANI):
PANI is the governing body for policies related to children and adolescents in Costa Rica. Its mission is to protect and promote the rights of minors, intervening in situations of risk, abuse, or neglect and developing programs aimed at ensuring their comprehensive well-being and development.
For further information, visit inamu.go.cr
About the National Institute for Women (Instituto Nacional de las Mujeres – INAMU):
INAMU is the governmental entity tasked with promoting and protecting the rights of women in Costa Rica. It formulates public policy aimed at achieving gender equality, combating discrimination, and preventing violence against women, while also fostering their economic and political empowerment.
For further information, visit conapam.go.cr
About the National Council for the Elderly (Consejo Nacional de la Persona Adulta Mayor – CONAPAM):
CONAPAM is the public institution responsible for defining and directing national policies for the elderly population in Costa Rica. It works to guarantee the rights, well-being, and quality of life of older adults through programs related to health, social integration, and protection against abuse.
For further information, visit conapdis.go.cr
About the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (Consejo Nacional de la Persona con Discapacidad – CONAPDIS):
CONAPDIS is the state entity that oversees policies and initiatives for people with disabilities in Costa Rica. Its primary function is to promote equal opportunities, social inclusion, and the full exercise of rights for this population, ensuring accessibility and eliminating discrimination.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, the firm is defined by its profound dedication to ethical principles and superior professional standards. Drawing from a rich history of representing a wide array of clients, it consistently operates at the vanguard of legal advancement and societal contribution. This core philosophy manifests in a firm-wide initiative to demystify the law, reflecting a deep-seated mission to help forge a more knowledgeable and empowered citizenry.
