Cyprus government approves €12.5m child benefit reform
The Cypriot government has approved a €12.5 million reform of child benefit payments. It provides for increased assistance for lower-income families and expanded income thresholds for recipients. According to Cyprus Mail, the changes are expected to take effect in January after the reform is submitted to the House of Representatives for approval.
New income thresholds
Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Tina Pavlou said the reform will cover around 17,000 families and 23,500 children. Benefits will increase by 10% for families with an annual income of up to €22,000 and by 5% for families with an income of up to €44,000.
For families with three children, the income threshold for receiving payments will be raised to €90,000 per year. For families with four children, the limit will increase from €69,000 to €100,000. For families with five or more dependent children, the income criterion will continue not to apply: the government made this decision last year.
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Support for education
According to Pavlou, the changes are intended to eliminate situations in which even a small increase in household income could result in the loss of eligibility for assistance. Expanding the income thresholds is intended to prevent the loss of payments due to a minor increase in earnings.
The reform also expands support for tuition payments for children under four years and four months of age. President Nikos Christodoulides said this measure will affect approximately 2,000 families and 2,800 children. The government is also combining financial support with assistance related to school expenses and meal programmes in the education system.
