In the first quarter of this year, the National Social Security Institute processed 1,181 benefits for birth and child care in Cantabria. Of these, 566 corresponded to the first parent, usually the mother, and 615 to the second parent. The expenditure on these benefits in the Autonomous Community has amounted to 8,834,100 euros.
Throughout the country, Social Security processed 119,435 cases of birth and child care benefits during the first quarter of 2023, of which 56,560 were for the first parent, usually the mother, and 62,875 for the second parent, usually the father. The number of casualties by birth and child care decreased by 2.9% compared to the same period of time of 2022, when 123,076 were processed.
These figures correspond to the number of files managed, not to the number of recipients, since the benefit can be enjoyed on a weekly basis, and is counted each time one of them is started.
Thus, nationally, the expenditure on childbirth and childcare allowance in the first three months of the year was 856.6 million euros. In 2022, this figure stood at 820.2 million, which represents a year-on-year growth of 4.4%.
The average duration of active child care and birth benefits in the first quarter of 2023 was 93.7 days for men and 103.3 days for women. To make this calculation, the interrupted periods have been considered and the duplication of files for multi-employment has been eliminated.
The childbirth and childcare benefit replaced the old maternity and paternity benefits when it came into force on January 1, 2021 and has meant the complete equalization of both. Currently, the leave is 16 weeks for both parents and is recognized as an individual and non-transferable right.
Of the 16 weeks, six of them must be enjoyed immediately after childbirth or judicial or administrative resolution in cases of adoption, custody or placement. The rest of the time can be arranged in successive periods, of at least one week in duration.
The amount of these benefits is equivalent to the contribution base of the month prior to childbirth, adoption, care or fostering, and is paid directly by the National Social Security Institute (INSS) during the weeks of the leave.
The National Institute of Social Security offers the possibility of applying for the birth benefit telematically, through the portal Tu Seguridad Social https://sede-tu.seg-social.gob.es/ and through the form on https://tramites.seg-social.es/acceso/prestacion-nacimiento-cuidado-menor.html
Successive rest periods may also be requested electronically for the birth or care of the child, if the parents choose to divide the period.