Rapport 2017-16

Summary 15 Summary The market for assistance for persons with disabilities The Swedish Social Insurance Inspectorate (Inspektionen för social- försäkringen, ISF) is an independent supervisory agency for the Swedish social insurance system. The objectives of the agency are to strengthen compliance with legislation and other statutes, and to improve the efficiency of the social insurance system through system supervision and efficiency analysis and evaluation. This report was commissioned by the Swedish Government. Background Since 1994 individuals with extensive needs of support due to disability may be granted attendance allowance to hire personal assistants. This reform was implemented to ensure the rights of individuals with major functional impairments to self-determination, independence, full participation and equality in their living conditions. Certain conditions, as regards the need for help with specific, basic needs, must be met in order for the individual to be eligible for the attendance allowance. The assistance reform emphasizes the autonomy of the individual, and the recipient of the attendance allowance decides how, where and when the support is to be provided. The individual also chooses who will organize the assistance – which may be provided by an assistance company, the municipality or a cooperative. A few choose to be their own assistance provider and employ their assistants themselves.