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Benefit for care of minors

When a child requires direct, continuous and permanent care due to a serious illness, the priority is to be able to care for them without this creating an additional financial concern. At FREMAP, we support you throughout this process, providing clear information and assistance with managing the child care benefit, so that families can focus on what matters most: the welfare of the child.

This page contains guidance on coverage, requirements and main procedures, as well as the channels to process the benefit quickly and securely.

Who can request the benefit?

The benefit is intended for employees who need to reduce their working hours by at least 50% in order to meet the direct, continuous and permanent care needs of a child affected by cancer or another serious illness included in the schedule to the regulations, provided that both parents, guardians or permanent foster carers are employed. The purpose is to compensate for the loss of income resulting from the compulsory reduction in working hours during the child’s hospitalisation or prolonged treatment. Provided the care needs continue, the benefit may be extended until the eligible child reaches the age of 23, or up to the age of 26 if they have a certified disability of 65% or more.

Conditions for entitlement to the benefit

To qualify for the benefit, it is necessary to:

  • Be registered with, or in a situation treated as equivalent to registration with, the Social Security system.
  • Both parents/guardians are employed.
  • Reduce working hours by at least 50%.
  • The child is affected by cancer or a serious illness included in the official list, with a certified need for direct, permanent and continuous care.
  • Have the official declaration from the Public Health Service (SPS) certifying prolonged hospitalisation or care equivalent to “in-home hospitalisation”.
  • Meet the contribution period requirements under the relevant scheme where applicable.
  • Not be in situations incompatible with this benefit, such as Temporary Incapacity, birth and childcare leave, or certain temporary employment regulation scheme (ERTE) situations.

Documents you will need to provide

The employee must provide:

  • Official application for the benefit.
  • Employer certificate confirming the reduction in working hours (at least 50%) and the applicant’s contribution record.
  • Official medical declaration from the Public Health Service (SPS) certifying:
    • Diagnosis of cancer or serious illness.
    • Need for direct, permanent and continuous care.
    • Prolonged hospitalisation or equivalent treatment.
  • Documentation proving that both parents are employed.
  • Documentation relating to the relationship with the eligible child:
    • For Parent / Foster Carer / Adoptive Parent / Guardian: Family record book or, failing this, a certificate of the child’s registration in the Civil Registry, or the judicial/administrative decision relating to adoption, fostering or appointment as guardian.
    • For Spouse or Civil Partner: Marriage certificate or, in the case of a Civil Partnership, a certificate from the Civil Partnership Register or a copy of the notarial deed establishing the partnership.
  • Identity verification by means of electronic signature of the application. If the applicant does not hold a digital certificate, their identity must be verified by presenting the original DNI or equivalent official identity document in person, which will be checked by FREMAP.
  • Bank details for payment of the benefit.
  • Agreement between both parents determining who will assume responsibility for care. In the event of separation or divorce, the agreement regulating custody of the child.

This is a daily benefit, payable for each calendar day while the protected situation continues.

  • The benefit remains in place for as long as the need for care and the reduction in working hours continue.
  • It ends when:
    • The reduction in working hours ends.
    • The need for care ceases.
    • The eligible child reaches the age of 23 (26 in the case of disability ≥65%).
    • The beneficiary returns to full-time work.

How to proceed, step by step

The itinerary for the worker is simple if we look at it in phases:

1

Check the requirements and confirm that the need to reduce working hours is met.

2

Request the official medical declaration from the SPS.

3

Request the employer certificate confirming the reduction in working hours.

4

Prepare the documentation and submit the application at any FREMAP centre.

5

FREMAP will review the information, validate the requirements and issue a decision.

6

Once granted, FREMAP will manage the periodic payment of the benefit for as long as the conditions continue to be met and the documentation justifying extension is provided.

Can I request the benefit if only one parent works?

Both parents/guardians must be employed. In the event of separation or divorce, the parent with whom the eligible child resides must be employed.

Is hospitalisation always required?

Yes, there must be prolonged hospitalisation or care equivalent to “in-home hospitalisation”. Exceptionally, where admission is not advisable on the recommendation of the medical team providing treatment, and direct, permanent and continuous care is required, this condition may be deemed fulfilled.

What percentage of my working hours must I reduce?

At least 50% of working hours.

How much does it pay? Is the benefit paid at 100%?

Yes, 100% of the temporary incapacity regulatory base, applying the percentage reduction in working hours.

What happens if the child's condition improves?

If direct, permanent and continuous care is no longer required, entitlement to the benefit ends.