The application and payment process for child benefit and the single-parent family benefit has been simplified, with last year’s recipients set to receive the payment automatically this year without submitting a new application.
Speaking to Politis Radio 107.6 and 97.6 on the programme Defteri Matia, Senior Welfare Benefits Management Officer Phanos Kouroufexis explained the procedure for this year’s payments and the cases in which a new application or updated details are required.
Who does not need to take action
Kouroufexis said that families who received child benefit in 2025 and have had no changes in their family circumstances do not need to do anything.
“Those who received this benefit in 2025 do not need to do anything, provided there has been no change in the family’s circumstances,” he said.
Following the publication of the relevant decree by the Minister of Labour and the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, existing beneficiaries are again considered potential beneficiaries on the basis of last year’s application.
Payments for the child benefit and the single-parent family benefit will be made on May 29.
According to Kouroufexis, the child benefit concerns around 60,000 families, including about 11,000 single-parent families.
Who must submit updated details
Kouroufexis clarified that two categories of families must take action.
The first concerns those who already received the benefit but have had a change in family circumstances, such as marriage, the birth of a child or another significant change affecting the calculation of the benefit. In such cases, they must complete a form to update their details.
The second category concerns those applying for the first time, either because they have recently had a child or because they had not received the benefit in previous years.
All procedures are now carried out electronically through the CY Login platform, he said.
Where citizens can seek help
Citizens facing difficulties or seeking clarification can contact the competent services through the call centre at 8000 2000, as well as through 1450.
Kouroufexis said many issues are now resolved more quickly by email.
“Many of these issues in recent years are resolved more quickly through the service’s email,” he said, adding that all information is available on the service’s website.
Electronic signature being promoted
Kouroufexis also referred to the use of electronic signatures, saying they help speed up the processing of applications.
“We are actively promoting the use of the electronic signature. It has helped people receive their benefits earlier,” he said.
He added that the Deputy Ministry is moving towards the “once only” principle, so that citizens do not have to repeatedly submit the same information.
As an example, he referred to the benefit for children attending nurseries, where most information is drawn automatically from the system.
How the amounts are calculated
Kouroufexis said the amount of the benefit varies according to the number of children and the family’s income.
“The lower the income, the higher the subsidy,” he said.
The amount starts at about €600 for a family with one child and can exceed €700 per child for larger families, he added.
He also clarified that the amounts are adjusted each year on the basis of the consumer price index and inflation.
