Estonia

The Claims Conference supports in-home visits for Holocaust survivors in Estonia. Care is provided by local social service agencies.

The economies of the Baltic States remain very weak. The health and welfare situation of the elderly, particularly the disabled, continues to worsen as the Baltic States reduce their social spending to meet the budgetary requirements of the European Union.

Direct compensation payments are made from the Central and Eastern European Fund (CEEF) and the Hardship Fund. Beginning in January 2022, CEEF payments increased to €600 per month due to Claims Conference negotiations with the German government. The Claims Conference negotiates on an ongoing basis with the German government to include additional Nazi victims in compensation programs, increase payments, and provide increased funds for social services.

The Claims Conference negotiates on an ongoing basis with the German government to include additional Nazi victims in compensation programs, increase payments, and provide increased funds for social services.

Pensions for the elderly have been reduced across the region, with many payments also made late, and many elderly are forced to choose between medicine and food, as they have no savings to draw from. These expenses, along with utilities, are particularly of concern as inflation continues to rise, making the reduced pensions worth even less.