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The single allowance for children is finally law and will allow all families to receive a sum of money for each dependent child. It is a proxy law approved by the Senate which therefore entrusts the Italian government with the task of establishing this provision, having already been approved in the House last July.
“The single and universal allowance – explained the Minister for Equal Opportunities and the Family Elena Bonetti – is a provision that is part of the Family Act and consists of a quota that will be given to each child, from the seventh month of pregnancy up to 21 years of age, month after month, increased by the third child and in the case of disabled children too. It is for everyone, and the share will depend on income, so the less wealthy families will receive more, and the richest will only have a basic share ».
Being a proxy law, it will be up to the competent committees of the Chamber and Senate to discuss the implementing decrees that will better define all the procedures and the distribution of funds allocated by the government. The commissions will have 30 days to express their opinion, while the government – according to the law – has 12 months to approve the decrees, a necessary step to make the allowance payable. However, Prime Minister Mario Draghi has promised that the checks will be paid as early as July.
Single allowance for children, who is eligible
The allowance is for all families who have a dependent child up to 21 years of age. It will have a maximum value of 250 euros: the figure includes a fixed and a variable part, linked to the overall income of the family. Employees, self-employed or incompetent workers can benefit from it and all mothers from the seventh month of pregnancy can apply. According to the proposed scenario, 80% of Italian families he would take 161 euros per month for each minor child and 97 for each child aged 18 to 21. The calculation is linked to the consideration according to which 8 families out of 10 have an Isee below 30 thousand euros. The amount of the allowance decreases if the Isee is raised: for an Isee above 52 thousand euros, the contribution drops to 67 euros per month for minor children and 40 euros for adult children but under the age of 21.
For adult children, the allowance will be paid only if they study at university, carry out the civil service, have a low-income job or are registered as unemployed and looking for work: in this case the allowance will be paid directly to the children of age.
Single allowance for children, how it works
The allowance is defined as “single” because it will replace the current forms of support recognized for families with children (such as the baby bonus, the mother bonus, the personal income tax deductions and the allowance for the third child), which is why there is are those who argue that it can penalize some families.
To obtain the check it is necessary to have Italian citizenship or a regular residence permit, as well as reside and pay taxes in Italy.
The allowance will be paid in the form of tax or money credit.
