The Lithuanian Seimas is preparing to discuss legislative proposals aimed at improving the rights of persons with disabilities. These proposals have been spearheaded by Indrė Kižienė, chair of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Commission and a member of the Social Democratic Party. The issue at hand concerns individuals who had their work capacity assessed prior to reaching retirement age under old guidelines, which now leaves them with outdated statuses despite unchanged health conditions. Due to a reformed disability assessment system, their rights have not been automatically aligned with those receiving indefinite participation status, causing significant legal ambiguity.

Kižienė emphasizes the detrimental effects of this legal gap, noting cases where individuals attempting to renew their certificates or manage documentation have unexpectedly faced recalculations of their social benefits, or worse, the risk of losing them altogether. This situation creates a sense of insecurity and uncertainty for those affected, who are simply trying to navigate the bureaucratic processes associated with their disability status.

The proposed legal amendments aim to establish clear rules stating that individuals whose work capacity was determined before the end of 2023 would automatically retain their status upon reaching retirement age. This approach seeks to ensure that individuals are not disadvantaged by outdated assessments and to promote equal treatment for all persons with disabilities in Lithuania, ultimately enhancing their rights and social security.