Christodoulides stresses , ‘importance of Easter’
President Nikos Christodoulides stressed the importance of Easter and extended his wishes for the wellbeing and success of all Cypriots.
single-parent families
Cabinet to meet to discuss cost of living measures
The Cabinet is set to hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss and approve a new package of measures to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis. One of the measures being considered is extending the electricity subsidy until the end of June, which currently provides an average consumer with around a €14 reduction on their bill. Additionally, the government is looking into extending the scrapping of VAT on basic products until the end of June, which has had significant benefits for consumers. They are also considering extending various social welfare measures that were implemented in February.
Parliamentary labour committee to address single-parent benefits legislation
The Parliamentary Labour Committee is waiting for a bill from the Ministry of Social Welfare to regulate single-parent benefits by the end of May. The committee’s agenda will include the issue in early June. A bill submitted by AKEL MPs aims to remove the requirement that a single parent should be without a partner and not terminate the benefit if the single parent cohabits with another person. The proposed law by the government is expected to have similar content. The committee aims to refer either the bill or the proposed law, or both, to the Plenary before the end of June for final regulation. The existing legislative framework that terminates the benefit in cases of cohabitation is seen as violating human rights and needs to change.
Funds disbursed for single-parent families
The Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare announced the disbursement of support for single-parent families. This support includes a lump sum payment of 100 euros for the first child and an additional 50 euros for each subsequent child, up to a maximum of 250 euros. Families with more than four dependent children receive an extra 100 euros. Eligibility criteria include having an annual income of up to 19,500 euros and a maximum deposit of 10,000 euros. Additionally, families receiving child benefit with an annual income of up to 25,000 euros and a maximum deposit of 15,000 euros are also eligible for the lump sum. Households eligible for the Guaranteed Minimum Income will receive their payments within the week.