The Social Security processed 3,224 benefits for birth and child care during 2022 in La Rioja, which means a decrease of 647 benefits in this modality compared to the same period of 2021. Of the total, 1,481 corresponded to the first parent, usually the mother, and 1,743, to the second parent, usually the father.
The cost associated with this benefit between January and December 2022 in La Rioja was 22,038,558 euros.
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.
By autonomous communities, the highest number of benefits for birth and child care has been recognized in Andalusia (86,106), Catalonia (84,287), Madrid (78,134) and the Valencian Community (48,372).
The National Social Security Institute offers the possibility of applying for the birth benefit telematically, through the portal Tu Seguridad Social (https://sede.seg-social.gob.es/) https://sede-tu.seg-social.gob.es/ and through the form in 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.
Child, Foster or Family Child Care Leave
On the other hand, the number of surpluses registered in La Rioja in 2022 was 461, of which 321 corresponded to women, 69.6%, and 140 to men, which is equivalent to 31.4%.
The number of surpluses has increased by 12, (2.67%) compared to the same period of the 2021 financial year.
The autonomous communities where the number of surpluses has increased the most compared to the previous year are the Canary Islands (9.7%), the Valencian Community (7.1%), Asturias (5.3%) and the two autonomous cities (Melilla, 41.7% and Ceuta, 7.41%). On the contrary, the main decreases were in the Basque Country (-15.3%), Galicia (-9.4%) and Cantabria (-7.1%).
Workers may apply for leave to care for children or minors who have been taken in or for the care of other family members. The first three years of leave to care for a foster child are considered an effective contributory period for the purposes of Social Security benefits for retirement, permanent disability, death and survival, maternity and paternity. The first year of leave to care for other family members is also considered to be actually paid for the purposes of these benefits.