Companion Allowance: A Complete Guide for Families

When a family member receives a severe disability classification certificate, reality changes overnight for the entire family. Beyond the difficult emotions and medical challenges, a practical question arises: who will provide daily care, accompany them to appointments, and offer the constant support their loved one needs? Romanian legislation recognises this burden and offers families a form of financial assistance through the companion allowance — support designed for those who give up employment to become full-time carers.

Many parents, spouses, or adult children are unaware of this right, or become lost in bureaucracy and put off submitting their application month after month. Others confuse the companion allowance with personal assistance, or believe it cannot be combined with the disabled person's pension. The result? Families who are physically and financially exhausted, yet who were entitled to a steady monthly income but did not know how to go about claiming it.

In this article, we explain everything you need to know about the companion allowance, step by step: who is eligible, how it differs from a personal assistant, what documents are required, how the amount is calculated, and what mistakes to avoid so that your application is approved quickly and without complications.

Contents

1. What the companion allowance is and who is entitled to it
2. The difference between a personal assistant and the companion allowance
3. Required documents and the practical steps for submitting your application
4. The allowance amount in 2026 and combining it with other benefits
5. Common mistakes families make and how to avoid them
6. Practical tips for a complete and correct application
7. Frequently asked questions

What the companion allowance is and who is entitled to it

The companion allowance is a monthly financial benefit granted to people with severe or pronounced disabilities who require permanent care and who designate a family member or close person to assist them. The companion must give up employment (they must not carry out any paid activities) in order to receive the allowance.

Under current legislation, the following conditions must be met to be eligible for this allowance:

• The person holds a severe disability classification certificate issued by the Commission for the Assessment of Adults with Disabilities
• They are over 18 years of age
• They are not residing permanently in a residential care facility
• They do not have a state-funded personal assistant
• They designate a companion who accepts this responsibility and does not carry out any paid work

Who can be a companion

The companion can be any person chosen by the beneficiary: a husband, wife, parent, adult child, brother, sister, or even a close friend. The only condition is that this person must not carry out any paid activities during the period in which they receive the allowance. It is important to note that the companion does not necessarily have to live with the disabled person, but must provide effective and consistent care.

For children under 18 with severe disabilities, parents are entitled to a child with disability care allowance, which is a separate benefit with different procedures and amounts.

The difference between a personal assistant and the companion allowance

Many families confuse these two forms of support and do not understand which is better suited to their situation. Although both are intended for people with severe disabilities, there are important differences regarding eligibility conditions, amounts, and legal implications.

The personal assistant

A personal assistant is employed under a contract of employment between the disabled person (the benefit recipient) and another individual (usually a family member), arranged through the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection (DGASPC). The personal assistant has the status of an employee, with all associated rights: pension contributions, sick leave, and annual leave.

• The personal assistant receives a monthly salary, not an allowance
• This salary is paid by the state through DGASPC
• The personal assistant accrues employment history and pension contributions
• The disabled person must have full legal capacity (be able to enter into contracts)
• It cannot be combined with the companion allowance

The companion allowance

Unlike personal assistance, the companion allowance is simpler from an administrative standpoint, but comes with fewer long-term benefits:

• It is a social benefit, not a salary
• The companion has no employment contract and does not accrue employment history
• There are no pension contributions
• It is easier to obtain for people who do not have full legal capacity or are under guardianship
• It can be granted quickly, without complex contractual negotiations

When to choose one or the other

If the disabled person is young or middle-aged and the carer still has many years until retirement, personal assistance is preferable, as it provides long-term social protection. However, if the disabled person cannot enter into an employment contract (for example, because they are under guardianship) or the family wants a quick and straightforward solution, the companion allowance is the appropriate choice.

Required documents and the practical steps for submitting your application

Obtaining the companion allowance requires following a clear set of administrative steps. Although these may seem bureaucratic, with complete and correct documentation the process moves relatively quickly — usually within 30 to 45 days of submitting the application.

Required documents

To submit an application for the companion allowance, you will need the following documents:

1. Standard application form (available from DGASPC or on the institution's website)
2. Disability classification certificate — original and copy
3. Copies of identity documents for both the beneficiary and the companion
4. Statutory declaration by the companion confirming they do not carry out any paid activities
5. Statutory declaration confirming the beneficiary is not institutionalised
6. Proof of income or a declaration regarding the beneficiary's income (pension, social benefits, etc.)
7. Proof of guardianship or curatorship (if applicable)

Institutions involved

The application is submitted to the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection (DGASPC) in the county or district where the beneficiary is domiciled. DGASPC reviews the application, verifies that all conditions are met, and issues an approval or rejection decision. The actual payment is made through the National Agency for Payments and Social Inspection (ANPIS), which transfers the allowance monthly to the designated account.

Practical steps

• Step 1: Obtain the severe disability classification certificate from the assessment commission
• Step 2: Gather all required documents and complete the standard application form
• Step 3: Submit the application to DGASPC (in person or by post with acknowledgement of receipt)
• Step 4: Wait for the application to be reviewed (generally 30 days)
• Step 5: Receive the approval decision and provide your bank account details for payment
• Step 6: The allowance will be transferred monthly, beginning the month following the decision

The allowance amount in 2026 and combining it with other benefits

One of the most frequently asked questions is: how much is actually received, and can it be combined with a pension or other social benefits? The answer depends on the current legislation and each family's individual circumstances.

The allowance amount

From 2026, the companion allowance is calculated as a percentage of the national gross minimum wage. The amount is set by law and is periodically index-linked. At present, the allowance is approximately 800–900 RON per month, but it is important to verify the exact figure with DGASPC, as it may vary depending on legislative adjustments.

Unlike a personal assistant's salary, the companion allowance is a flat-rate social benefit — a fixed sum that does not depend on the number of hours worked or the complexity of the care provided.

Combining it with a pension and other benefits

The good news is that the companion allowance can be combined with the disabled person's invalidity pension or old-age pension. The beneficiary may also continue to receive heating assistance, supplementary allowances, or other social entitlements to which they are entitled.

What cannot be combined:

• The companion allowance with the personal assistant's salary
• The companion allowance with the companion's own employment income (the companion may not work during the period in which they receive the allowance)
• The companion allowance with the permanent institutionalisation of the beneficiary

Impact on the companion's pension

An important consideration is that, during the period in which you receive the companion allowance, you do not make contributions to the pension system. This means that your employment history does not accumulate, and these years will not count towards your future pension. For young or middle-aged families, this can be a significant long-term disadvantage, which is why the personal assistant option may be preferable.

Common mistakes families make and how to avoid them

In practice, many applications are rejected or delayed due to simple errors that could easily have been avoided. Here are the most common mistakes we encounter and how to prevent them:

Incomplete documentation

The most frequent reason for rejection is a missing document or the submission of uncertified copies when certification is required. Check your document list three times before submitting the application, and ask at the counter whether everything is in order.

Inaccurate declarations

Some companions declare that they do not carry out any paid activities, when in reality they are working under an employment contract or as a sole trader. Any employment income must be declared, and fixed-term or part-time work can lead to the suspension or loss of the allowance. Be honest in your declarations, as institutions carry out cross-checks with tax records.

Failing to attend reassessment

The disability certificate has a limited period of validity. If you do not attend reassessment and the certificate expires, the allowance is automatically suspended. Make a careful note of your reassessment date and schedule the evaluation several months before expiry.

Confusing it with personal assistance

Many families simultaneously submit applications for both personal assistance and the companion allowance, unaware that the two cannot be combined. Clarify from the outset which option suits you and submit only one application, to avoid both procedures being blocked.

• Carefully check the specific requirements of your county (some DGASPC offices may have additional forms or requirements)
• Keep copies of all documents submitted and a registered receipt
• If your application is rejected, request the reasons in writing and correct the errors before resubmitting
• Promptly notify the relevant authority of any changes (address, bank account, family circumstances)

Practical tips for a complete and correct application

To improve your chances of a quick, uncomplicated approval, follow these practical tips gathered from the experience of many families who have been through the process:

Prepare well in advance

Do not wait until the last day of your disability certificate's validity to submit your application. Begin preparations 2 to 3 months in advance, so that you have time to obtain all the necessary documents and correct any errors. Some documents (such as income certificates) have a short period of validity, so time their collection to coincide with the submission date.

Consult a social worker

Most local councils and DGASPC offices have social workers who offer free advice. Do not hesitate to ask them to review your application before submission. They are familiar with the most recent legislative changes and can guide you through special circumstances (for example, when the disabled person is also receiving an invalidity pension).

Keep meticulous records

Create a physical or digital folder in which you keep copies of all documents submitted, decisions received, correspondence with institutions, and important details (telephone numbers, email addresses of contact persons, reassessment deadlines). This will save you an enormous amount of time and stress throughout the process.

Find out about related entitlements

The companion allowance is just one of the rights available to people with disabilities. Also find out about:

• Exemptions or reductions in local taxes
• Public transport concessions
• Free or subsidised prescription medicines
• Tax concessions for the companion or family members
• The possibility of obtaining support from NGOs or specialist foundations

Frequently asked questions

Can I receive the companion allowance if I am a pensioner?

Yes, the companion can be a pensioner. The essential condition is that the companion must not carry out any paid activities (meaning they must not have employment income or income from self-employment), but a pension does not fall into this category.

Is the allowance stopped if the disabled person is temporarily admitted to hospital?

No, temporary hospital admissions for medical treatment do not lead to the suspension of the allowance. Suspension only occurs in the case of permanent placement in a residential care facility with continuous accommodation.

Can I be a companion for two family members with severe disabilities?

No, a person cannot receive the companion allowance for two individuals simultaneously. If you care for two family members with severe disabilities, you must choose for which one you will receive the allowance. For the other, personal assistance may be applied for, or a different companion may be designated.

What happens if the companion becomes ill and is unable to provide care?

In the case of a temporary illness, the allowance continues to be paid. However, if the companion is no longer able to provide care on a long-term basis, the companion can be changed by submitting a new application designating a different person.

How long does it take for an application to be approved from the date of submission?

In general, DGASPC is required to review the application within a maximum of 30 days from the date of submission. Actual payment usually begins in the month following the issue of the approval decision, meaning the entire process can take 45 to 60 days.

Can I work part-time and still receive the companion allowance?

No, the companion allowance is granted only to people who do not carry out any paid activities, regardless of the type of contract (full-time, part-time, or home-based employment). Any officially recorded employment income leads to the suspension of entitlement.

The companion allowance can provide genuine support for families who care with love and dedication for members with severe disabilities. Although the administrative steps may seem complicated at first glance, with the right information and complete documentation the process becomes much more straightforward. If you are in this situation, do not delay — find out what you need to know, gather the necessary documents, and submit your application as soon as possible. Social work teams are there to help you, and this right is yours. If you have further questions or encounter difficulties, do not hesitate to speak with a social care specialist or a solicitor who specialises in disability rights.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a social care or legal specialist. For specific situations, please consult an authorised expert.