Lanzarote approves the guidelines for social emergency aid

The Insular Council of Lanzarote has definitively approved the modification of the Regulatory Bases for Social Emergency Economic Benefits, intended to guarantee the right to social protection for individuals and family units in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability. The decision is published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Las Palmas number 109, dated September 11, 2026, via announcement 2.965 (registry 1846681, page 15770).

The process began with the initial approval, published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Las Palmas number 82, dated July 10, 2026, within the framework of file 3950/2026. Following the public exhibition period without any claims or suggestions being presented, the agreement was definitively adopted in accordance with Article 49 of Law 7/1985, of April 2, Regulating the Bases of the Local Regime, following the agreement of the Plenary of the Insular Council of Lanzarote and La Graciosa on June 25, 2026.

Purpose and beneficiaries

The bases regulate the procedure for the assessment and granting of non-periodic economic benefits to cover basic expenses for food, housing, health, transport, training, and schooling, as well as situations of urgent and grave necessity. Residents and transients of the island of Lanzarote who prove socioeconomic vulnerability may be beneficiaries.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be over 18 years of age or be legally emancipated.
• Be registered (empadronado) and effectively reside in a municipality of the island for at least six months, except in exceptional situations.
• Prove the situation of socioeconomic vulnerability through the documentation accompanying the application.
• Have justified previously received aid in a timely and proper manner.

The assessment is based on the AROPE indicator of poverty or social exclusion risk, which combines the risk of poverty, severe material deprivation, and low employment intensity.

Amounts and modalities of aid

The maximum annual amount to be received will be 3,000 euros per cohabiting family unit, which may be paid in one or two installments. Two modalities are distinguished:

• Modality A: vouchers or prepaid cards for the acquisition of basic necessity products (food, hygiene, cleaning, and medications).
• Modality B: economic benefits for primary, housing, transport, health, vocational-labor, and school needs.

Technical emergency aid of an extraordinary nature, assessed by degree of disability, has no pre-established monetary limit and covers up to 95% of the budget for the highest degrees. The granting is processed under a non-competitive concurrence regime in an open call, with an application period coinciding with the calendar year.

Procedure and Entry into Force

The application is submitted to the Presidency of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, preferably at the registry of the specialized Social Inclusion and Intervention service or through the electronic office. In cases of extreme urgency, the president may resolve the file within a maximum period of three business days.

The guidelines shall enter into force the day following their publication in the Official Gazette of the Province of Las Palmas, and the previously published guidelines are hereby repealed. Pending applications shall be governed by the new regulation in all aspects that are favorable to them.

The approval strengthens the island’s social protection network in a context of housing crisis and persistent social needs, and increases the subsidizable amount for technical aids to promote the inclusion of people with greater support needs.

Source: Official Gazette of the Province of Las Palmas, number 109, September 11, 2026, section III (Local Administration), page 15770 (official reference: announcement 2.965, registry 1846681).