1.

State Benefits for families with child

1.1

Maternity benefit

100 % amount of the average wage of the benefit recipient that is subject to insurance contributions.

A maternity benefit shall be granted and disbursed for the entire period of maternity leave.

The 56 calendar days of pregnancy leave and the 56 calendar days of childbirth leave shall be aggregated and a maternity benefit shall be granted for 112 calendar days.

A woman shall be granted a benefit for a 14 day long additional leave due to pregnancy or childbirth complications, or complications during the period following childbirth, as well as in cases where two or more children were born; such leave shall be added to maternity leave, and thereby the benefit shall be granted for the total of 70 calendar days.

From  state basic budget

Law On Maternity and Sickness Insurance

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=15480

1.2.

Childbirth allowance

296 LVL per month

Supplement  to the Childbirth allowance:

-for the 1st child-100 LVL;

-for the 2nd child-150  LVL;

-for the 3rd and each subssequent child-200  LVL

Childbirth allowance is extraordinary state social  allowance.

The right to to the childbirth allowance arises from the eight day of the child’s life.

From  state basic budget

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13872

Cabinet Regulation No. 166 of 8 March  2005

1.3.

Paternity benefit

80 % amount of the average wage of the benefit

recipient that is subject to insurance contributions

A paternity benefit shall be granted and disbursed to the father of a child for ten calendar days of the leave granted due to the birth of the child.

From state special budget

Law On Maternity and Sickness Insurance

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=15480

1.4.

Child care benefit

50 LVL  per month

30 LVL per month

Supplemet to the child care benefit:

- for a person who takes care of twins or more children born during one delivery under 1 year of age – LVL 50 per month for every next child

- for a person who takes care of twins or more children born during one delivery at the age from 1 to 2 years – LVL 30 per month for every next child.

- Child care benefit is granted to socially uninsuared person who is raising  child  under 1 year of age

- Child care benefit is granted to person who is raising  child  between  1 to 2 years of age

From  state basic budget

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13872

Cabinet Regulatio  No. 644 of 8 August 2006 Regulations regarding the Amount of the allowance for Child Care and supplement for the birth of twins or more children born during one delivery, its review, granting and disbursement procedure

1.5.

Parent’s  benefit

70 % amount of the person’s average monthly insurance wage.

Parent’s benefit ir granted for person who is insured, who is caring for a child younger than one year.

From state special budget

Law On Maternity and Sickness Insurance

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=15480

1.6.

The State family allowance

The state family allowance amount depends on the total number of children in the family:

- for the 1st child- 8  LVL per month;

-for the 2nd child-9.60  LVL;

-  for the 3rd child- 12.80 LVL per month;

- for the 4th and the following - 14.40 LVL per month

Supplement to the state family allowance for disabled child who has not reached 18 years of age:

50 LVL per month.

The state family allowance shall be granted for each child who:

1) is not older than 15 years;

2) is older than 15 years, studies in a general education or vocational training institution and has not entered into marriage. In such case an allowance shall be granted for the time period during which a child attends an educational institution and up to, but not after, the day when he or she has reached 20 years of age or entered into marriage.

From  state basic budget

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13872

Cabinet Regulation No. 562 of  26 July 2005

Regulations regarding the Amount of State Family Benefit and Supplement to State Family Benefit for Disabled Child, the Procedures for Review Thereof and the Procedures for Granting and Disbursement of Benefit and Supplement

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=15406

1.7.

Benefit for  large families

Special benefit isn’t provided, but the child birth allowance and the state family allowance amount is depends on the total number of children in the family ( see 1.2. and 1.6. point)

1.8.

Benefit for families with disabled child

- Care of disabled child benefit-  150 LVL per month

- Supplement to the state family allowance for disabled child who has not reached 18 years of age:

50 LVL per month

Care of disabled child benefit shall be granted to a person who cares for a child for whom the State Medical Commission for Expert-Examinations of Health and Working Ability has specified invalidity and issued an opinion regarding the necessity for special care in relation to serious physical and functional disability.

The payment of care of disabled child benefits shall be terminated when the time period ends for which the invalidity and the necessity for special care have been specified, or when the child reaches the age of 18 years.

The right to this supplement for a person raising a disabled child shall remain regardless of the payment of the State family allowance until the disabled child has reached 18 years of age

From  state basic budget

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13872

Regulations regarding the Amount of Allowance for Disabled Child Care, the Procedures for the Review Thereof and the Procedures for the Granting and Disbursement of the Allowance

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=15489

Cabinet Regulation No. 562 of  26 July 2005

Regulations regarding the Amount of State Family Benefit and Supplement to State Family Benefit for Disabled Child, the Procedures for Review Thereof and the Procedures for Granting and Disbursement of Benefit and Supplement

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=15406

1.9.

Guardian’s allowance for a dependent child

32 LVL per month

An allowance for a dependent child shall be granted to a person who has been appointed as a guardian.

An allowance shall be granted for each child under guardianship.

A person has the right to receive this allowance from the day when he or she has been appointed as a guardian.

 If guardianship is cancelled, the disbursement of this allowance shall be terminated from the day of the cancellation of guardianship.

From  state basic budget

Cabinet Regulation No. 183 of 15 March  2005

1.10

Remuneration for the fulfilment of guardian’s duties

38 LVL per month

Remuneration for the fulfilment of guardian’s duties shall be granted to a person who has been appointed as guardian.

The amount of remuneration is not dependent on the number of children under guardianship.

A person has the right to receive this remuneration from the day when he or she has been appointed as a guardian.

If guardianship is cancelled, the disbursement of this remuneration shall be terminated from the day of the cancellation of guardianship.

From  state basic budget

Law on State Social Allowances

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13872

Cabinet Regulation No. 182 of 15 March  2005

1.11.

Remuneration for the fulfilment of foster family duties

80 LVL per month

Remuneration for the fulfilment of foster family duties shall be granted to a family or person who has obtained the status of a foster family and in which, in accordance with the decision of Orphan’s court and the agreement entered into by the local government and the foster family, a child has been placed for upbringing for a period of time longer than one month.

A member (person) of a foster family who has entered into an agreement with a local government has the right to receive this remuneration from the day on which a child has been placed in a foster family for upbringing.

The disbursement of this remuneration shall be terminated when the time period specified in the agreement has expired, as well as if a child’s stay in a foster family is terminated before the time period.

A remuneration shall be granted to a foster family regardless of the number of children placed therein for upbringing.

From  state basic budget

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13872

Cabinet Regulation No 1021 of 14 December 2004

Procedures for the Granting and Disbursement of the Remuneration for the Fulfilment of Foster Family Duties

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=15679

1.12.

Remuneration for the care of an adopted child

35 LVL per month

Remuneration for the care of an adopted child shall be granted for the adopter in the care and custody of which an adopted child has been placed before the approval of the adoption in court in accordance with the decision of the Orphan’s court (Parish court) if the adopter is not employed or is employed and is on child-care leave or works part-time work.

From  state basic budget

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13872

Cabinet Regulation No. 27 of 11 January 2005 Procedures for the Granting and Disbursement of a Remuneration for the Care of an Adopted Child

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=15690

1.13

Remuneration for adoption

1000 LVL per month

Remuneration for adoption shall be disbursed for each adopted child who has been in extra-familial care in the amount specified on the day when the judgment of a court regarding the approval of the adoption entered into effect.

From  state basic budget

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13872

Cabinet Regulation No. 26 of  11 January 2005

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=15691

1.14

State social security benefit

45 LVL per month

In case of  the loss of a breadwinner if the  breadwinner has not been insuared person then the child who is left without breadwinner has the right to the state social security benefit. State social security benefit shall be granted until the attaining of the age of legal majority. The disbursement of an allowance shall be continued if, after the attaining of the legal age of majority, a person is studying at an institution of general education or vocational education and is not older than 20 years of age or is studying in the day division (full time studies) at an institution of higher education and who is under the age of 24.

From  state basic budget

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13872

Cabinet Regulation No. 561 of 26 July 2005

Regulations regarding the Amount of the State Social Security Benefit and Funeral Benefit, the Procedures for the Review thereof and the Procedures for the Granting and Disbursement of the Benefits

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=15405

1.15

State support for children who  suffering from coeliac disease

50 LVL per month

For the help to parents whose children have not been declared disabled but suffering from coeliac disease state  provides to these families  supplementry support for acquisition of the gluten free products.

From  state basic budget

Law On Social Services and Social Assistance

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13849

Cabinet Regulation No. 928 of 16 November 2004

Regulations  regarding  state support  for children who have not been declared disabled suffering from coeliac disease

2.

Local goverment support for families with children

2.1.

Guaranteed minimum  income benefit

The guaranteed minimum income level and the amount of the benefit for ensuring the guaranteed minimum income level shall be determined and revised each year in connection with the draft annual State budget law by the Cabinet.

For 2007 year the guaranteed minimum income is 27 LVL per month.

Local munisipality can tax other the guaranteed minimum income level but not lower than 27 LVL per month.

Guaranteed minimum  income benefit aims to ensure a minimum level of income for person.

Benefit shall be provided on the basis of an evaluation of person and family members material resources – income and property.

The benefit shall be granted for the period of time for which the status of a family (person) in need has been granted to the family (person), but not longer than for 3 months. After the end of this period of time a family (person) may turn repeatedly to the local government with a submission regarding the granting of the benefit.

The benefit for ensuring the guaranteed minimum income level shall be paid to a person (family) not more than nine months out of a calendar year.

From local government social budget

Law On Social Services and Social Assistance

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13849

Cabinet Regulation No. 693 of 9 December 2003

Regulations on the guaranteed minimum income level and the amount of the benefit for ensuring the guaranteed minimum income level

Cabinet Regulation No.  96 of 25 February 2003

Procedures for the Granting, Calculation and Disbursement of the Benefit for Ensuring the Guaranteed Minimum Income Level

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=15673

2.2.

The local government is entitled to disburse also other benefits if the justified demand for benefits of needy inhabitants of the local government for ensuring the guaranteed minimum income level has been satisfied. For example,  benefit for transport, feeding, housing benefit, benefit for medicine servicies, benefit for care of newborn a.o.

For example, in 2007 year in general in state 7 848 families with children received the benefit for  payment of  medicine servicies from local goverment; housing benefit – 10 260  families with children; with free lunch in schools were provided 34 881 children.

From local government social budget

Law On Social Services and Social Assistance

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13849

Local government binding regulations

3.

Tax reliefs in connection with care and upbringing of children

3.1.

Personal income tax relief

56 LVL per month

The tax relief provided:

- for a minor child;

- for a child while he or she continues the acquisition of a general, Professional, higher or special education, but no longer than until reaching 24 years of age;

- for a grandchild or a child taken for raising, if it is impossible to recover the allowance ( alimony) from the parents of the child;

- for a brother, sister who is under the  age of 18 years, if they do not have parents who are able to work.

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13836

Cabinet Regulation No. 433 of 26 June 2007

Regulations on the untaxed minimum’s and tax relief’s amount to calculate the personal income tax relief in year 2008

4.

Leave for parents in connection with birth and care of child

4.1.

Prenatal and maternity leave

 Prenatal leave of 56 calendar days and maternity leave of 56 calendar days shall be summed and 112 calendar days granted irrespective of the number of days prenatal leave has been utilised prior to child-birth.

A woman who has initiated pregnancy-related medical care at a preventive medical institution by the 12^th week of pregnancy and has continued for the whole period of pregnancy shall be granted a supplementary leave of 14 days, adding it to the prenatal leave and calculating 70 calendar days in total.

In case of complications in pregnancy, childbirth or postnatal period, as well as if two or more children are born, a woman shall be granted a supplementary leave of 14 days, adding it to the maternity leave and calculating 70 calendar days in total.

From state social budget

Labour Law

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13779

4.2.

Parental Leave

Every employee has the right to parental leave in connection with the birth or adoption of a child. Such leave shall be granted for a period not exceeding one and a half years up to the day the child reaches the age of eight years.

From state basic budget

Labour Law

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13779

4.3.

Paternity leave

Father of a child has the right to to the 10 calendar days long leave. Leave to the father of a child shall be granted immediately after the birth of the child, but not later than within a two-month period from the birth of the child.

From state social budget

Labour Law

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13779

4.4.

Leave to adopters

For a family, which has adopted a child up to three years of age, one of the adopters shall be granted 10 calendar days of leave.

Labour Law

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13779

4.5.

Supplementary leave

Employees who have three or more children under the age of 16 years or a disabled child is granted three days  annual paid supplementary leave.

Labour Law

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13779

5.

Support for reconciliation of work and family life

5.1.

Availability of pre-school education/ alternative child care services

One of the continuing functions of local governments is to ensure children of pre-school with places in pre-schools.

Considering  that the number of pre-schools in state is not enough and not all parents have oportunity  to pay wage to babysitter  then  local governments develops alternative chlid care services. For example, centers of play and development of children, groups of play in the social centers, as well as provide babysitter’s  benefits.

Since year 2004 with the financial support from the Ministry  for Children and Family Affairs  have been esatblished 44 centers of play and development of children in whole Latvia.

In such center is provided qualitative supervision of children in  development promoting conditions in short –term  absentia of parents  (till 4 hours).

Law On Local Governments

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13757

5.2.

Support to a person taking care of an ill child

A sickness benefit shall be granted in an 80 per cent amount of the average wage of the benefit recipient that is subject to insurance contributions.

A sickness benefit shall be granted if a person is absent from work and thereby loses paid labour income or if a self-employed person loses income due to the

nursing of a sick child aged up to 14 years.

A sickness benefit for nursing a sick child aged up to 14 years shall be granted and disbursed for the time period from the first day of incapacity for work until the 21^st day of incapacity for work. The benefit shall be disbursed for the time period up to the 14^th day of incapacity for work if the child has been nursed at home, and for the time period up to the 21^st day of incapacity for work if the child has also been nursed in a hospital.

Law On Maternity and Sickness Insurance

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=15480

5.3.

Flexibile working  hours/ work form

An employer shall determine part-time work if requested by a pregnant woman, a woman for a period following childbirth up to one year, but if the woman is breastfeeding then for the whole period of breastfeeding, as well as by an employee who has a child less than 14 years of age or a disabled child under 18 years of age.

The same provisions, which apply to an employee who is employed for regular working time, shall apply to an employee who is employed part-time.

Labour Law

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13779

5.4.

Breaks for feeding a child

An employee who has a child under one and a half years of age shall be granted additional breaks for feeding the child.

Breaks of not less than 30 minutes for feeding a child shall be granted not less than every three hours. If an employee has two or more children under one and a half years of age, a break of at least one hour shall be granted.

Labour Law

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13779

6.

Other support forms of state and local government

6.1.

Support for parents who cares over children alone/

enforcement of maintenance for a child

In conformity with the provisions of The Civil Law until reaching age of majority, a child is under the custody of his or her parents.

Parents, commensurate to their financial state, have a duty to maintain the child.

In addition the duty to provide for the maintenance of the child shall not terminate if the child does not live together with one of the parents or with both parents.

The Cabinet of Ministers has set the minimum amount of the means of support which each of a child’s parents is liable to provide for his or her child irrespective of his or her financial circumstances.

-  40 LVL  for for each child from the moment of his or her birth until he or she reaches the age of 7 years  (25% of the amount of the minimum monthly remuneration);

-  48 LVL   for each child from the age of 7 years until her or she reaches the age of 18 years (30% of the minimum monthly remuneration).

Control of the Ministry is  established institution of direct administration – The Administration of the Maintenance Gurantee Fund. The Administration of the Maintenance Guarantee Fund provides child support in the following cases:

- if the implementation of the court decision (court judgement) on the collection of child support payments is declared impossible by the law enforcement officer;

-  if the parent who has to pay child support for his/her child as decreed by the court decision (judgement) pays less than the minimum child support (not exceeding the amount of payment set by the court decision).

Maintenance Guarantee Fund Law

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=5

Cabinet Regulation No. 348 of 1 July 2003

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=14374

6.2.

State support for family

to acquisition of living quarters (housing)

Maximal amount of guarantee –1500 LVL

State provide to families with children a loan guarantee for the acquisition or construction of living quarters (housing).

A guarantee shall be issued for a period of time not exceeding 10 years

From state basic budget

Cabinet Regulation No. 608 of 16 August 2005

Procedures by which a Loan Guarantee is Provided to Families with Children for Acquisition or Construction of Living Quarters (Housing)

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&l=LV&seid=down&itid=15472

6.3.

Support for

interest-related education of pupils

Each local government has an obligation to ensure that the children residing in their administrative territory have the opportunity to realise interest related education and to support extracurricular activities.

Interest related education programs implementation the educational aids, economic  expenses and other necessary expenses incure from means of founder and others legal entity as well as  means of phycical person.

Pedagogues’ wages and mandatory contributions of state social insurance partly incure from state budget, from local government and others legal entity as well as  means of phycical person.

At now in Latvia is 64 institutions of interest related education which is established by local government.

From state basic  budget,

form local government budget,

others legal entity as well as  means of phycical person

Education Law

http://www.ttc.lv/index.php?&id=10&tid=59&l=LV&seid=down&itid=13759

Cabinet Regulation No. 382 of 28 August 2001

Procedures for financing interest related education programs

6.4.

Family mediation

The Ministry for Children and Family Affairs is only institution in Latvia that provides free of charge family mediation.

Mediation is free of charge and is possible in such cases:

- if the Court have adjourned the adjudication of the matter for the purposes of the reconciliation of the spouses,

- if parents can’t agree in questions of upbringing of children,

- if parents can’t agree of maintenance, implementation of custody or access rights,

-   - if guardian or foster family has conflict with biological parents of child.

State programme for the improvement of the status of children and families