Amendment to parental benefits system to be discussed
The Minister of Population Riina Solman (Isamaa) said at a government press conference that a bill is being prepared that would extend the payment of parental benefits from the current 2.5 years between births to three years.
Currently, an average of 450 children are born in the 2.5 to 3 years after the birth of the first child, which means that a parent will receive benefits on the basis of the minimum wage, unless they have returned to work in the meantime or have been working for less than required to calculate wage-based benefits.
Solman says the amendment is needed for parents not to be suppressed in their family planning. "Most women are able to work long enough to earn decent parental benefits by the birth of another child," she said.
Excluding the time spent unemployed from the period of parental benefits for a parent who lost their job during the crisis is also under consideration, in addition to shortening the waiting period for state maintenance allowance from four months to one month.
The state pays a monthly sum of €100 to a single parent, which it then claims from the indebted parent.
--
Download the ERR News app for Android and iOS now and never miss an update!
Editor: Anders Nõmm
