Lithuania Expands Childcare Support for Working Families with Increased Benefits
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Meta Description: Lithuania is increasing financial aid for parents who choose private childcare, with benefits rising to €384 per month.Learn about eligibility and application requirements.
Lithuania is bolstering support for working families by expanding access to childcare benefits and increasing the amount of financial assistance available. A new order, implemented last year, allows parents of children not attending state-funded kindergartens to apply for payments to cover the cost of childcare through their local municipalities. As of June of this year, even more working parents will qualify for this support, with the benefit increasing to €384 (previously €364).
Expanded Eligibility Criteria
Amendments to the Child Benefits Law, adopted by the Seimas at the end of last year, broadened the scope of eligibility for the childcare compensation benefit. Previously limited to working parents,the benefit now extends to those with a parent or guardian engaged in full-time studies or vocational training.
Last year, parents were eligible if they met the following criteria: both parents were employed, the child was of pre-school age and did not attend a pre-school educational institution, and the parents hired a caregiver for a salary, operating in Lithuania with either a certificate of individual activity or an employment contract.
Multiple Children,Multiple Benefits
The Ministry of Social Security and Labor (SADM) clarified that families can receive multiple benefits,as payments are allocated for each pre-school-aged child not attending kindergarten. “Families are eligible to receive support for each child requiring care outside of the state system,” a senior official stated.
Application Requirements & Documentation
Applicants must provide a childcare or employment contract with the caregiver, along with proof of the caregiver’s registration for individual activity, issued by the State Tax Inspectorate, confirming they are authorized to provide daytime childcare services.
Benefit Uptake and Recent Data
According to SADM data, an average of 508 individuals per month in Lithuania received the childcare compensation benefit during the first half of last year. Following the implementation of the new Childcare Compensation Benefit on January 1, 2025, the city of Klaipėda received 150 applications from parents.
Klaipėda Experiences Application Challenges
Though, not all applications in Klaipėda were approved. The 2nd Social Benefits Department of the Klaipėda city Municipality reported that 30 applications were denied due to issues such as an invalid caregiver activity certificate, lack of a formal contract with the caregiver, the child’s enrollment in an educational institution, or a parent’s lack of employment.
This expanded support aims to alleviate the financial burden on working families and ensure access to quality childcare options for all Lithuanian children. .
Here’s a substantive news report answering the “why, Who, What, and How” questions:
Why: The Lithuanian government expanded childcare benefits to alleviate the financial burden on working families and ensure access to quality childcare for all children, particularly those not attending state-funded kindergartens.
who: The initiative was spearheaded by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour (SADM) and approved by the Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament). It directly impacts working parents, students with children, and registered childcare providers across Lithuania. The 2nd Social benefits Department of the Klaipėda City Municipality
