Social Security processed 3,047 benefits for birth and child care in 2023 in La Rioja, which means a decrease of 177 benefits in this modality compared to the same period of 2022.
Of last year’s total, 1,377 corresponded to the first parent, usually the mother, and 1,670 to the second parent, usually the father. The expenditure associated with this benefit in the autonomous community between January and December 2023 was 21.5 million euros.
The average duration of active child care and birth benefits between January and December 2023 was 105 days.
In Spain, the average processing time for this benefit in 2023 was 8.2 days and in the month of December, specifically, 7.8 days.
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 (87.008), Catalonia (82.180), Madrid (74.755) and the Valencian Community (47.758).
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 discharged in 2023 was 523, of which 447 corresponded to women, 85.4%, and 76 to men, which is equivalent to 14.6%.
The number of surpluses has increased on average by 13.45% compared to the same period of the year 2022.
The number of surpluses increases in all communities. The ones that have increased the number of surpluses with respect to the previous year are Galicia, 32.6%, Cantabria (25.6%) and the Canary Islands (22.5%).