Alcoutim municipality has decided to give away about 150 ‘social cards’ this year in order to help local underprivileged families.
The service was launched in 2005 to help low-income families, but since then poverty and social exclusion have worsened due to the economic crisis and more requests for financial support have been made. The social card, or Cartão Social, offers its holders 50% reductions in council fees and rates, for example monthly payments for water supply and sanitation.
This initiative will also provide the necessary means to help residents rebuild or recover dwellings and also assist them with money for medication for serious diseases.
