Amount and payment of the child benefit

The amount of the child benefit increases with the number of children. This includes children who are under 17 years old and eligible for the child benefit. The increased amount is available only if all child benefits are granted to the same person.

Example: A mother has three children of 3, 4 and 15. She claims child benefit for her children. The 15-year-old goes to school elsewhere and lives independently. In the case of the two youngest children, the child benefit is paid to the mother, whereas the 15-year-old gets the payments herself under a special arrangement. This means that the mother is paid child benefit for two children.

The child benefit is tax-free income. Property and income do not affect the amount of the child benefit.

In the Åland Islands the child benefit is financed by the Åland Government. Residents of the Åland Islands claim child benefit from Kela.

Single-parent supplement to the child benefit

Single parents get an additional €53.30 for each child who lives with them and who is eligible for the child benefit. You can claim the single-parent supplement if you are not married or living together or if you are legally separated from your spouse. The supplement is available also if the parents have joint custody of their child. It is granted from the beginning of the month following the change in family circumstances.

Payment

The child benefit is paid on the 26th day of each month. If the payment date falls on a weekend, a holiday or the first day following a weekend or holiday (e.g. Monday), the child benefit is paid on the immediately preceding business day.

Child benefit payment dates in 2019

• January 25
• February 26
• March 26
• April 26
• May 24
• June 26
• July 26
• August 23
• September 26
• October 25
• November 26
• December 20