The House Labour Committee on Tuesday debated proposed amendments to the Child Benefit Payment Law, aimed at broadening the definition of single-parent families and preserving benefits for those who cohabit.
The proposal, originally submitted in 2021 and reintroduced by opposition AKEL party MPs, seeks to remove the requirement for a parent to be without a spouse to qualify as a single-parent family. It also aims to ensure single parents do not lose their benefits if they begin living with a new partner.
Committee Chairman Andreas Kafkalias said the proposal intends to “end the anachronistic provision” in current legislation that terminates benefits upon cohabitation. He noted that despite years of discussion, progress has been limited.
Government officials reported that a draft bill addressing these issues has been prepared and will soon undergo legal review. The bill largely aligns with the proposed amendments, with one key difference: couples who cohabit and have children together would be considered a family unit, regardless of marital status.
Opposition MPs raised concerns about bureaucratic hurdles in the application process and called for a review of benefit amounts in light of inflation. The government’s representative assured that consultations with stakeholders, including the Pan-Cypriot Association of Single-Parent Families, are ongoing.
Kafkalias expressed frustration with repeated delays, stating that if the government fails to submit its bill by year-end, the opposition’s proposal will be brought to a plenary vote.
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