PALERMO (ITALPRESS) - The Sicilian government has unveiled a one-time, non-repayable solidarity contribution aimed at families facing economic difficulties, particularly those with Isee scores below 5,000 euros. With the measure spearheaded by the Family Department of the Sicilian Region, 30 million euros is now available to assist those most affected by the economic downturn.
Families have until April 15 to apply for aid via the designated platform, following which a ranking system will be established based on several parameters outlined in the announcement. Irfis, the regional financial institution, will manage the funds made available through the latest financial law.
The announcement of this initiative was made by Renato Schifani, president of the Sicilian Region. Iolanda Riolo, head of Irfis, explained, “The amount we can disburse will range from 2,500 to 5,000 euros based on families' needs, considering various factors such as the number of family members, rental payments, or other hardships.” This funding aims to directly support those families enduring challenging living conditions.
One of the stipulations for eligibility is residency on the island for at least five years, ensuring the aid is concentrated on those who have historically faced economic challenges. Further elaboration on the application process revealed significant enhancements to the online platform to make it more user-friendly. Families can now upload required information easily within the application window.
Riolo emphasized the simplicity of the application process, stating, “It's all quite straightforward; our website has been revamped to be even more intuitive. You need to access the ‘Sicilian Incentives’ section, where you can confidently upload all required information from today until April 15.” She continued to highlight the broader goals of Irfis, saying, “This is not the first initiative run by Irfis to support families; last year, we allocated 50 million euros to mitigate the impact of rising interest rates for mortgages on first-time home buyers.”
The regional government’s actions reflect its strong commitment to social welfare, as highlighted by Riolo, who mentioned, “The activities of the past two years, under the guidance of the regional government and Sicilian politics, have been strongly social-oriented. For the first time, Irfis is genuinely dealing with families.”
Riolo also expressed gratitude for the continued efforts of the regional government, promising, “This year, we will continue to lend our support to social welfare where it is urgently needed.” She discussed how this focus shapes the operational character of Irfis, aligning with the organization's foundational objective to contribute to the development of the Sicilian territory.
This financial aid initiative forms part of Sicilian authorities' wider strategy to combat economic adversity, targeting vulnerable families who are most affected by the prevailing economic challenges. This measure, along with previous efforts, reflects the persistent drive of the Sicilian government to alleviate the financial burdens of its citizens and support community resilience.
For interested families, the application process is straightforward, with the emphasis placed on ensuring accessibility to these much-needed funds. The government’s proactive measures demonstrate responsiveness to the socio-economic issues facing many families throughout Sicily.