Child benefit reform to reach 17,000 families under Cabinet-approved changes

Economy childrensocial welfareTop News Child benefit reform to reach 17,000 families under Cabinet-approved changes E39a7298 1536x883 Relevant News Child benefit reform to reach 17,000 families under Cabinet-approved changes 10 September 2026 Fire breaks out near Pano Deftera, crews battle blaze 10 September 2026 “He sold land like he sold passports,” MP says Anastasiades 10 September 2026 newsroom 10 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Cyprus plans to raise child benefit payments and widen income thresholds from 1 January 2027 under a reform approved by the Cabinet on Thursday, with 17,000 families and 23,500 children expected to benefit if the changes are passed by parliament. The €12.5 million reform provides for a 10% increase in child benefit for families with income of up to €22,000 and a 5% increase for those with income of up to €44,000, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Tina Pavlou said after the Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace. Eligibility will also be expanded for larger families. The income threshold for families with three children will rise to €90,000, while for families with four children it will increase from €69,000 to €100,000. Abrupt loss of eligibility to be removed Pavlou said the reform would also remove what she described as a longstanding distortion in the system, under which a small increase in income could result in a family abruptly losing access to the benefit. “The most important thing is that we have removed the distortion that had existed for years, which abruptly pushed families out of the scheme when a small increase in income meant they could no longer benefit,” she said. The wider income thresholds are intended to ensure that small increases in earnings do not automatically result in families losing the benefit to which they are entitled. Pavlou also said benefit policies needed to be accompanied by services. She said 2,000 families would be able to benefit from a subsidy related to schooling, while 2,800 children would be able to benefit from a subsidy and meal programme within the education system. “Only in this way can we achieve results, when we combine services with the benefit,” she said. Pavlou said the government would continue supporting families and that the next step was for the reform to be approved by the House of Representatives before it can take effect. (Information from Cyprus News Agency) Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Fire breaks out near Pano Deftera, crews battle blaze “He sold land like he sold passports,” MP says Anastasiades The story travelled. The credit didn’t. Giorgos Mazonakis: A life lived at the extremes The ghost of Hitler, again An alliance that holds firm and grows stronger Israeli President Herzog arrives in Nicosia for talks with Christodoulides Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.