What is the family allowance increase?
The increase in family allowance is an additional support that Social Security gives to some families.
This value is added to family allowance for children and young people, but also to prenatal family allowance and the disability allowance in the case of families benefiting from these last two types of support.
Who has the right?
There are two situations in which an increase in family allowance is granted: single parents Or the Families with two or more young children.
Of course, everything will depend on the income bracket in which the household is inserted – those with lower incomes will always be entitled to more help.
large families
Up to the 4th income bracket, the increase in family allowance is granted to families with two or more dependent children, but only for those aged 36 months or less.
single parent families
In single-parent families, that is, those consisting of only one adult and one or more children, the family allowance is increased by 50% for families positioned in the 1st echelon It is 42.5% for families positioned in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th echelon.
Pregnant women from the 13th week of pregnancy who live alone or with only children or young people who are entitled to family allowance, whether they are receiving it or not, also benefit from a 35% increase in the prenatal allowance.
What amount to receive?
Increases to family allowance depend on the number of children and adults in the household, as well as the household’s income.
| family type | installment | increase |
| with 2 children | allowance of family |
€40.25 for 1st tier €33.24 for 2nd tier €30.09 for 3rd tier €15.69 for the 4th step |
| With more than 2 children | allowance of family |
€80.51 for 1st step €66.47 for 2nd tier €60.18 for 3rd tier €31.38 for 4th step |
| single parent | allowance of family |
+ 50% for families positioned in the 1st echelon + 42.5% for families in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th levels |
| single parent | prenatal allowance | + 35% for the pregnant woman |
Can it be combined with other installments?
The increase in family allowance can be accumulated with the specific increase granted to children with disabilities (which must be requested separately, with proof of the degree of disability), with subsidies for attending special education establishments and even with the third-party assistance subsidy.
Single-parent families can also accumulate the increases of several children.
Until when do you receive it?
The increase in family allowance is granted only up to the date on which the child entitled to it complete 37 months of age. In the case of pregnant women who receive an increase, it ends when payment of the prenatal allowance ceases.
In the case of single-parent families, the increase in family allowance is paid until the family ceases to be a single parent (i.e., there is one more adult in the household) or until the child ceases to receive family allowance.
It may also happen that the increase in family allowance ceases to exist because the household has increased income and changed levels.
How can I apply for an increase in family allowance?
In households with two or more children, the increase in family allowance is automatically granted. No need to ask.
In the case of single parent families, information regarding single parenthood must be provided when submitting the application for prenatal or family allowances for children and young people. Just fill in the part of the household composition with that indication.
It may happen, however, that the family becomes single-parent even after the child is born. In this case, the adult who is responsible for her must change the composition of the household, so that Social Security is aware of the new situation.
To communicate the transition to single parenthood, you must complete the appropriate form and submit it online or, alternatively, deliver it to a Social Security service desk.
From when are you entitled to receive?
Increase in family allowance starts to be paid from the month following the birth of the child that gave rise to it (in the case of families with two or more dependent children).
In the case of single-parent families, the increase is paid from the moment the family or prenatal allowance is paid (if single parenthood has already been communicated in the allowance application) or from the month following the one in which there is a change in the composition of the household to a single-parent system.
How is the increase in family allowance paid?
Social Security pays the increase in the family allowance in the same way as the allowance itself, ie by bank transfer or by postal order.
Bank transfer is still the most comfortable option: just indicate your NIB on the Direct Social Security website and the money falls into the account every month, safely, quickly and smoothly.
If, however, you prefer to receive it by postal order, you will have to collect it every month at a post office. Bear in mind that this method will always be subject to delays in postal services, which do not depend on the State and that this may mean that you receive support later than expected.
