The National Transparency Authority in Greece has performed a thorough audit of the Organization for Precarious Benefits and Social Solidarity (OPEKA) covering the period from January 10, 2020, to December 31, 2022. This audit scrutinized 372 applications for Social Solidarity Benefits and revealed numerous violations of established procedures. Key issues noted included the failure to adhere to proper application submission processes and the chronological handling of requests, leading to approvals of applications that were either incomplete or did not meet the necessary eligibility criteria.

Particular attention was given to the approval of 178 decisions during the sampling review, where a substantial amount of 723,480 euros was identified as incorrectly disbursed. The audit further indicated that benefits were awarded prematurely, resulting in recipients receiving benefits for longer durations than they were entitled to under existing regulations. The full estimate of overpayments identified during the entire audit reached 1.86 million euros, highlighting systemic failures within the OPEKA.

This report raises serious concerns about the integrity and efficiency of the OPEKA's processes, suggesting a need for comprehensive reforms to address the identified shortcomings. The findings also prompt a broader discussion on the safeguards needed to prevent similar issues in social benefit disbursement moving forwards, ensuring that financial aid is administered accurately and fairly to support those in need, without unnecessary waste of public funds.