Budget, Demography, Financial Services, Lithuania, Society

The monthly benefit increases from 50 to 60 euros per child for most families and from 70 to 100 euros for large families, low-income families and those with children with disabilities.

The respective amendments passed the Seimas on Tuesday in a vote of 111 to three with six abstentions. 

The parliament also backed the ruling bloc's proposal to raise the benefit to 70 euros for most families and to 110 euros for large and low-income families starting 2021. The measure will have to be implemented by the next government formed after next year's elections. 

The Cabinet had proposed increasing the benefit to 90 euros for families in need in January and to 60 euros for all other families in July.

However, it backed on Monday the ruling coalition's plan for a more generous increase in the child's money.

According to preliminary estimates, the increase will require around 149 mln euros in additional budget spending next year. Some 521,900 children will be eligible for the universal benefit and another 151,600 for the higher monthly payment.