Due to weaknesses in system controls and the exchange of data for 2024, the auditors determined 235 beneficiaries who simultaneously acquired, that is, took money for both social assistance and pension.
The State Audit Office (SAO) has determined numerous weaknesses and irregularities in the system for realization, payment and control of social protection rights in Macedonia. The state budget has been damaged several times, and 236,000 euros were paid out for social assistance, while at the same time the processes are slow and important documentation in Skopje is kept in corridors and offices, in cardboard boxes and in registers.
The published one compliance audit is on the topic of “Payment of rights to financial assistance from social protection”, and it covers the period from 2022 to June 2025, but, as the SAO says, certain issues, events and analyzes are also covered subsequently until the day of reporting from the performed audit.
“The analysis of the legal framework in social protection indicates ambiguities and several inconsistencies between the adopted by-laws and the requirements for the exercise of rights in the part of the documentation that should be obtained ex officio, which create administrative inconsistency and the possibility of different application in practice,” said the SAO.
Unfounded payments
Due to weaknesses in system controls and the exchange of data on official duty for 2024, the auditors determined 235 beneficiaries who simultaneously acquired, that is, took money for social assistance and pension.
“For that, 14,536,000 denars, i.e. around 236,000 euros, were paid without grounds. Of them, 10,763,000 denars were paid to 190 beneficiaries on the basis of guaranteed minimum assistance, 426,000 denars on the basis of permanent compensation to 5 beneficiaries and 3,347,000 denars on the basis of the right to social security for the elderly among 40 beneficiaries,” it says. the SAO report.
Insufficient control and delay of procedures
From there, they also point to insufficient control by the centers for social work, incomplete documentation, delays in procedures, as well as ineffective monitoring of the return of unfoundedly paid funds. The auditors warn that such situations create the risk of irrational spending of public funds and reduce the efficiency of the social protection system.
“The auditors determined that the Centers for Social Work and the Employment Agency of the Republic of North Macedonia (AVRSM) do not effectively implement the legal obligation to prepare and monitor individual plans for the activation of unemployed beneficiaries of guaranteed minimum assistance (GMP). The plans are prepared on a very small scale, usually manually instead of electronically, without functional cooperation, coordinators and regular meetings between the institutions,” the SAO notes.
Documentation is kept in cardboard boxes and in registers
At the same time, the auditors determined inadequate conditions for keeping and protecting the documentation in the financial assistance services of the Intermunicipal Center for Social Affairs Skopje.
“Most of the services are located in barracks with poor working conditions and inadequate rooms for receiving parties, and the documentation is kept in corridors and offices, in cardboard boxes and registers, without adequate protection. This situation is not in accordance with the Law on archival operations and creates a risk of damage, loss or destruction of the documentation, as well as unworthy conditions for work and reception of citizens”, the auditors point out.
Problems with the inspection supervision
There are also criticisms in the area of inspection. According to the SAO, it is not implemented at the line ministry on the basis of full records of the risk assessment, does not cover all rights with regular supervision, and the reduction of regular inspections at the expense of extraordinary ones reduces its effectiveness – in order to detect and prevent irregularities.
“The auditors also report on the uneven distribution and caseload of personnel resources at the Centers for Social Work, as well as on initiated procedures before the competent authorities due to illegalities and suspicion of unfounded payments when exercising the right to social security for the elderly,” the report says.
To overcome weaknesses, among other things, the State Audit Office recommends improving the legal framework, controls and coordination between competent institutions.
Social assistance is currently delayed
The report of the SAO comes at a time when the payment of money for social and child protection in social work centers is several days late.
Citizens commented on social networks that the payment of social assistance was always on June 5, so now, with the delay, that group that is already making ends meet is in an unenviable position.
The Ministry of Social Policy argued the delay with a “significant reform in the social protection system”, so as of yesterday, June 10, they said that the payment has already started.
The delay in social assistance has left the most vulnerable families in limbo
