The Social Security processed 876 files of benefits for birth and child care during the first quarter of 2023 in La Rioja, which means a decrease of 143 benefits in this modality compared to the same period of 2022. Of the total number of cases from January to March of this year, 391 corresponded to the first parent, usually the mother, and 485 to the second parent, usually the father.
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.
The cost associated with this benefit was 5,829,574 euros between January and March 2023 in La Rioja.
The average duration of the processes for the first parent in the cases of biological maternity is 107.70 days in La Rioja (only the enjoyment of the initial period of the requested benefit is measured, that is, the interrupted periods of enjoyment are not measured - the global information is pending computer developments).
Year 2022
Last year, the figure stood at 3,224 benefits for birth and child care in the Autonomous Community, 1,481 for the first parent and 1,743 for the second parent. The associated expenditure amounted to 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.
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.