The Social Security processed 2,315 benefits for birth and child care in La Rioja in these nine months of 2023, of which 1,040 corresponded to the first parent, usually the mother, and 1,275, to the second parent, usually the father.
The cost of the birth and child care allowance between January and September of this year was 16.35 million euros.
The childbirth and childcare benefit, which replaced the old maternity and paternity benefits, 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.
The amount of these benefits is equivalent to the base of contributions for common contingencies in the month prior to childbirth, adoption, custody 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.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 care, foster child or family care leave
On the other hand, the number of surpluses registered in La Rioja in these nine months of the year was 416, of which 359 corresponded to women, 86%, and 57 to men, which is equivalent to 14%. The number of surpluses has increased on average by 16.85% compared to the same period of the year 2022.