I.1 Full disability pension

A person who is disabled to carry out any economic activity and is suffering from serious physical impairments (including blindness) is entitled to a disability pension.

1. Legal basis:

Law No 7703, dated 11.05.1993 “On Social Insurance in the Republic of Albania”, amended;
2. Medical criteria for determining work ability of disabled:

Depending on the degree of loss of work ability according to Law No 7703, dated 11.05.1993 “On Social Insurance in the Republic of Albania”, amended, disability is classified into three groups:

1. a) partial disability, when the insured person loses the ability to work in the profession or his latest work, but can perform other work as defined by MCDWA decision;
   b) full disability when the insured person is incapacitated for any work;
   c) full disability in terms of need for nursing.
2. Eligibility conditions:
3. a) Full disability pension is granted to the insured person who has completed the minimum period of insurance, which is equal to half the difference between the age of the insured person at the time he/she becomes disabled and age of 20 years.(For example: if the person has become invalid at the age of 38, to be entitled to a full disability pension, he/she needs to have completed 38-20/2 = 9 years of insurance);
4. b) He/she must have completely lost work ability, not because of accident or occupational disease;
   c) The right to full disability pension begins after expiration of 6 month period of sick leave (temporary incapacity).MCDWA should examine and assess the case in the fifth or sixth month before this period is completed.
5. Documentation:

For a full disability pension applicant or the authorized by procurement goes to the LSIA of residence, according to civil status registration, to make application for disability pension.

Applicant of full disability pension or the authorized by procurement, together with application form must submit the following documents:

1. a) Documents to prove age and identity:

– Copy of ID card or birth certificate with photo;

-Certificate of the family;

– Marriage certificate (applicable only to women);

– Two photos.
b) Documents proving periods of insurance and the type of work are:
– Work booklet;
– Proof of  work history and its type;
– Certificate on the period of insurance issued by archives office at the Regional Directorate of Social Insurance for employers, employees, self-employed, self-employed in agriculture and the insured on voluntary basis, as well as the insured by DCM;
– Decision of court for recognition of work history (if deemed reasonable);
– Proof of work history for ex-agricultural cooperatives members before 1992;
– Proof of Military Branch  for the period of compulsory military service (for male applicants);
– Standard certificate of work history for the military;
– Notarized copy of university diploma  for female applicants (if they graduated from full-time studies).

– Any other justifying document confirming being employed.

– Proof from the employer for the profession and work type.

– These documents for invalidity pension purpose shall be admitted when the person has not reached the old age pension age.

1. c) Documents certifying incomes:
   – Contributory wage certificate for the insurance periods from 01.01.1994 until release from work, according to the standard form (if he/she worked and paid contributions for periods after the date 01/01/1994);

– Proof of average net wage for the last year of work;

– Any other justifying documentation that proofs wage or payment of contributions.
d) Documents certifying health condition:
– Report for MCDWA issued by health institution (hospital), letter of approval to leave hospital, examination results, and other additional documents required when presenting for the first time in front of MCDWA;
– Report from KML for cases that are not subject of hospital treatment as defined in the Regulation;
– Sickness history report issued by medical experts or counseling team as well as necessary examinations results. In case of re-check up, relevant official examinations results are required;
– Personal file and health booklet proving sickness evolution, medical monitoring and treatment with medication;
– Report for MCDWA confirming aggravation of health, valid for MCDWA, before re-checking deadline;
– Medical report issued by Medical Commission describing health state and work ability (before commencement of employment or participation in any insurance scheme);
– Medical report after release from military service issued by KMU at SQU for soldiers invalidated during their military service;
– Proof of payment of work incapacity benefit caused by a general disease (for employee).
5. Review of application and evaluation from MCDWA:
a) The above documentation is delivered to the expertise physician, who after making necessary verifications, announces the date of MCDWA examination meeting or turns back the documents with inaccuracies;
b) MCDWA reviews documents in advance, notifies and examines the patient, takes the respective decision without his/her presence, and the chairman of MCDWA formally communicates it to the patient, both verbally and by means of the standard form;
c) Against this decision, the patient or invalid may appeal to the superior- MCDWA. Complaints should be made in written form and are submitted to the relevant Regional Social Insurance Directorate (RSID).
6. Benefit amount:
a) Monthly full disability pension amount consists of the basic pension and an increment calculated like old-age pensions. Basic pension amount is given to all insured persons.
b) Increment granted to employed persons is 1% for every insurance year multiplied to average assessment base the insured person has reached through his/her entire contributions history.
c) The total amount of this pension would be not more than twice the basic pension, or 80% of average net wage in the last year, whichever is smaller.
d) The basic pension is determined by DCM.
7. The additional income (supplement) for caring service under Article 38 of Law No 7703, dated 11.05.1993 “On social insurance in the Republic of Albania”, amended:
When applicant for a full disability pension becomes disabled and needs constant care of another person, as defined by MCDWA, he/she is granted an additional sum of 15% of assessment basis.
8. Additional income for dependent children:
A disabled insured person who is receiving a full disability pension, under Article 35 of Law No 7703, dated 11.05.1993 “On social insurance in the Republic of Albania”, amended, and has dependent children up to 18 years of age or until age 25 when continuing full time bachelor studies.

I.2 Reduced Disability Pension
A person who is unable to carry out any economic activity and has serious physical impairments (including blindness) is entitled to a reduced disability pension.
Legal basis:
Article 35, 36, 38, 39, Chapter III of Law no 7703, dated 11.05.1993 “On Social Insurance in the Republic of Albania”, amended;

2. Eligibility conditions:
   a) Where a person has completely lost the ability to work, not because of an accident at work or occupational disease;
   b) Where a person has not completed the minimum period of insurance, which depends on the ratio of the completed insurance period to the insurance period required for a reduced disability pension;
   c) The right to a reduced disability pension commences after the 6-month sick-leave (temporary incapacity) period. Evaluation by MCDWA should be done in the fifth or sixth month before this period expires.
   3. Documentation:
   For reduced disability pension, the beneficiary or the authorized by proxy goes to the Local Social Insurance Agency of the place of residence, according to the registration in the civil status office, to apply for a reduced invalidity pension.
   Beneficiaries of reduced disability pension or the authorized by proxy, together with the application form, must submit the following documents:
   a) Documents to prove age and identity:
   – Copy of ID card or birth certificate with photo;
   – Certificate of family composition;
   – Marriage certificate (applicable only to women);
   – Two photos.
   b) Documents proving periods of insurance and the type of work are the following:
   – Work booklet;
   – Proof of work history and its type;
   – Certificate on period of insurance issued by archives office  at the Regional Directorate of Social Insurance, for employers, employees, self-employed, self-employed in agriculture and the insured on voluntary basis, and the insured by DCM;
   – Court decision on recognition of work history (if deemed reasonable);
   – Proof of work history for ex- agricultural cooperatives members before 1992;
   – Proof of Military Branch  for the period of compulsory military service (for male applicants);
   – Standard certificate of work history for the military;
   – Notarized copy of university diploma  for female applicants (if they graduated from full-time studies).

– Any other justifying document confirming being employed.

– Proof from the employer for the profession and work type.

– These documents, for invalidity pension purpose, will be required when the person has not reached retirement age.

1. c) Documents proving incomes:
   – Contributory wage certificate for insurance periods from 01.01.1994 until release from work, according to the template (if he/she has worked and paid contributions for periods after the date 01/01/1994)
   – Proof of average net wage during last year of work;
   – Any other justifying document confirming wage and payment of contributions.
   d) Documents certifying health condition:
   – Report for MCDWA issued by health institution (hospital), letter of approval to leave hospital, examination results, and additional documents required when presenting for the first time in front of MCDWA;

– Report from KML for cases that are not subject of hospital treatment as defined in the Regulation;
– Sickness history report issued by medical experts or counseling team as well as necessary examinations results. In case of re-check up, relevant official examinations results are required;
– Personal file and health booklet proving sickness evolution, medical monitoring and treatment with medication;
– Report for MCDWA confirming aggravation of health, valid for MCDWA, before re-checking deadline;
– Medical report issued by Medical Commission describing health state and work ability (before commencement of employment or participation in any insurance scheme);
– Medical report after release from military service issued by KMU at SQU for soldiers invalidated during their military service;
– Proof of payment of work incapacity benefit caused by a general disease (for employee).
4. Review of application and evaluation from MCDWA:
a) The above documentation is delivered to the expertise physician, who after making necessary verifications, announces the date of MCDWA examination meeting or turns back the documents with inaccuracies;
b) MCDWA reviews documents in advance, notifies and examines the patient, takes the respective decision without his/her presence, and the chairman of MCDWA formally communicates it to the patient, both verbally and by means of the standard form;
c) Against this decision, the patient or invalid may appeal to the superior- MCDWA. Complaints should be made in written form and are submitted to the relevant RSID.
5. Benefit amount:
a) Monthly reduced disability pension amount consists of basic pension and increment which is calculated like the old-age pension. Basic pension amount is given to all insured persons.
Monthly reduced disability pension amount is equal to the reduced disability pension amount calculated pursuant to paragraph “a” multiplying the ratio of insurance years being the insurance periods required for a reduced invalidity pension.
6. Additional incomes for care service under article 38 of Law no 7703, dated 11.05.1993 “On social insurance in the Republic of Albania”, amended.
When the beneficiary of a reduced disability pension is incapacitated and needs constant care of another person, as defined by MCDWA, he/she is given a supplement of 15% of assessment base.
7. Additional incomes for dependent children:
An insured disabled person who receives a reduced disability pension in accordance with article 35 of Law no 7703, dated 11.05.1993 “On social insurance in the Republic of Albania”, amended, and has dependent children up to age 18 or until age 25 when they are studying at university full time shall receive an additional family income for each child at 5% of basic pension, but not more than 30% of it.

I.3 Partial Disability Pension
A person who is incapacitated for any economic activity and has serious physical impairments (including blindness) has the right to receive partial disability pension.
1. Legal basis:
a) Article 35, 36, 38, 39, Chapter III of Law no 7703, dated 11.05.1993 “On Social Insurance in the Republic of Albania”, amended;
b) Instruction no 2, dated 05.10.2005, of SII “On calculation and indexation of assessment base  and net wage relating to pension;
c) Regulation no 1, dated 19.10.2009, of SII “On administration and calculation of pensions;
d) Joint Regulation of the Ministry of Health and Social Insurance Institute, dated 30.05.2003 “On organization, rights, duties and functioning of the MCDWA.
2. Eligibility conditions:
a) have a minimum period of insurance provided under Article 35 of Law no 7703, dated 11.05.1993 “On social insurance in the Republic of Albania”, amended;
b) The partial disability pension is granted to the insured person who has completed the minimum period of insurance, which is equal to half the difference between the age of the insured person at the time of getting disabled and age 20.  c) have completely lost the ability to work, not because of accident or occupational disease;
d) The right to have a partial invalidity pension begins after the 6-month sickness-leave (temporary incapacity) period. Assessment of KMCAP should be made during the fifth or sixth month before the end of this period.
3. Documentation:
To obtain partial disability pension, the beneficiary or the authorized by proxy must go to the LSIA of the residence according to civil status registration, to apply for a partial disability pension.
Beneficiary of partial disability pension or the authorized by proxy, together with the application form must submit the following documents:
a) Documents to prove age and identity:
– Copy of ID card or birth certificate with photo;
– Family composition certificate;
– Marriage certificate (applicable only to women);
– Two photos.
b) Documents proving periods of insurance and the type of work are:
– Work booklet;
– Proof of  work history and its type;
– Certificate on the period of insurance issued by the office of the archive at the Regional Directorate of Social Insurance for employers, employees, self-employed, self-employed in agriculture and the insured on voluntary basis, and the insured by DCM;
– Decision of court for recognition of work history (if deemed reasonable);
– Proof of work history for former members of agricultural cooperatives before 1992;
– Proof of Military Branch  for the period of compulsory military service (for male applicants);
– Standard certificate of work history for the military;
– Notarized copy of university diploma  for female applicants (if they graduated, full-time).

– Any other justifying document confirming being employed.

– Proof from the employer for the profession and work type.

– These documents, for invalidity pension purpose, will be required when the person has not reached retirement age.

1. c) Documents proving incomes:
   – Contributory wage certificate for insurance periods from 01.01.1994 until release from work, according to the template (if he/she worked and paid contributions for periods after the date 01/01/1994)
   – Proof of average net wage over last year of work;
   – Any other justifying document confirming wage and payment of contributions.
   d) Documents certifying health condition:
   – Contributory wage certificate for the insurance periods from 01.01.1994 until release from work, according to the standard form (if he/she worked and paid contributions for periods after the date 01/01/1994);

– Proof of average net wage for the last year of work;

– Any other justifying documentation that proofs wage or payment of contributions.
d) Documents certifying health condition:
– Report for MCDWA issued by health institution (hospital), letter of approval to leave hospital, examination results, and other additional documents required when presenting for the first time in front of MCDWA;
– Report from KML for cases that are not subject of hospital treatment as defined in the Regulation;
– Sickness history report issued by medical experts or counseling team as well as necessary examinations results. In case of re-check up, relevant official examinations results are required;
– Personal file and health booklet proving sickness evolution, medical monitoring and treatment with medication;
– Report for MCDWA confirming aggravation of health, valid for MCDWA, before re-checking deadline;
– Medical report issued by Medical Commission describing health state and work ability (before commencement of employment or participation in any insurance scheme);
– Medical report after release from military service issued by KMU at SQU for soldiers invalidated during their military service;
– Proof of payment of work incapacity benefit caused by a general disease (for employee).
4. Review of application and evaluation of MCDWA:
a) The above documentation is delivered to physician expertise, which after necessary verification announces date for the switch to MCDWA, or turn back the documents for inaccuracies;
b) MCDWA prior to its meeting reviews documents, reports and examines the patient, takes appropriate decision not in his presence, and the speaker of MCDWA formally communicates the patient verbally and through the standard certificate;
c) The patient or invalid may appeal against this decision to the superior- MCDWA. Complaints must be in writing and submitted to the relevant RSID.
5. Benefit amount:
a) Monthly partial disability pension amount consists of basic pension and increment which is calculated like the old-age pensions. Basic pension amount is given to all insured persons;
b) Increment given to employed persons is 1% for each insurance year multiplying average assessment base the insured has achieved through contributions over the entire contributions history;
c) Total amount of pension shall not be more than twice the basic pension, or 80% of average net wage of the last year, whichever is smaller;
d) Basic pension is determined by DCM;
Monthly partial disability pension amount is equal to the partial disability pension amount calculated pursuant to paragraph “a” multiplying the ratio of insurance years being the insurance periods required for the partial invalidity pension.