Estonia: Child benefits cancelled for families living abroad

Estonia’s Social Insurance Board (SKA) has cancelled child benefits for nearly 3,000 Estonian children who mostly live abroad since 2019, ERR reports. Signe Riisalo, Minister of Social Protection, pointed out that family benefits are only meant for people living in Estonia. People paying taxes in Estonia should not pay for benefits to people who do not, she insisted. The child benefit, amounting to EUR 80 per month, is paid until the child turns 19 years. The benefit rises to EUR 100 per month for a third child. In addition, the state pays a separate benefit of EUR 450 per month for large families with three or more children. Also, the state pays parental benefits to new parents who stay at home and have no income. SKA pays EUR 760mn annually in total family benefits.