Starting March 1, 2022, family allowances (ANF) and tax deductions for dependent children up to age 21 will vanish from workers' paychecks. Employees will no longer see these amounts in their March salary and beyond.
At the same time, all current support measures for dependent children will be replaced by the universal child allowance, paid monthly directly by INPS to families for the period from March through February of the following year. Any family can request it: employees, pensioners, self-employed workers, and those with no income.
Universal Child Allowance: What It Is and How to Apply
The allowance begins March 1, 2022. For January 1 through February 28, 2022, nothing changes. From March 1 through February 28 of the next year, the universal child allowance applies. It replaces family allowances (ANF), the birth bonus (Bonus mamma domani), and—for dependent children up to age 21 only—income tax deductions as well. Starting in March 2022, these older benefits will no longer appear on paychecks for employees and pensioners. The universal allowance still lets families claim nursery school subsidies and deductions for expenses on children of any age—education, medical costs, and the like.
The new support will be paid directly by INPS upon request. The application platform opened January 1, 2022.
Applications must be submitted online through the INPS website (using SPID, CIE, or CNS credentials), or through patronato offices, by one of the two parents or, if neither parent is available, by the person holding parental responsibility regardless of whether they live with the child. Adult children can apply for themselves, as can guardians or custodians acting solely in the interest of a minor in their care. This is a permanent program, but you must reapply every year.
Who Can Request the Universal Child Allowance
The allowance is available to families:
- for each minor child in their care, and for newborns starting from the seventh month of pregnancy;
- for each child with a disability in their care, with no age limit;
- for each child aged 18–20 in their care, on condition that the child:
- is enrolled in a school, vocational training program, or university course;
- is doing an apprenticeship or working and earns less than 8,000 euros annually;
- is registered as unemployed and actively seeking work through public employment services; or is performing national service.
The allowance is paid:
- in case of sole custody and no agreement between parents, to the custodial parent;
- when a guardian or custodian is appointed, solely in the interest of that child or minor in their care.
INPS will pay the allowance to whoever requested it, or if a later request is made, in equal parts to both parents exercising parental responsibility. In the application form, you can choose among three options:
- the entire allowance goes to the applicant;
- 50% to each parent, with payment details for both;
- 50% to each parent, with payment details only for the applicant's share.
The other parent can later change the split chosen by the applicant by logging in with their own credentials.
Adult children can also file applications directly on behalf of their parents, and parents can request their own share of the allowance—which may be increased if they themselves have a disability.
How Much Is the Allowance?
The amount depends on the number of children and the family's ISEE (equivalent economic income). Specifically:
- 175 euros per month for each minor child if the ISEE is up to 15,000 euros. For higher ISEE levels, the amount decreases gradually to a minimum of 50 euros per month;
- 85 euros per month for each child aged 18–20 if the ISEE is up to 15,000 euros. For higher ISEE levels, the amount decreases gradually to a minimum of 25 euros per month.
Applicants without an ISEE still receive a minimum of 50 euros per month per child.
Additional payments are provided for each child beyond the second and for each child with a disability, scaled by age and disability classification, and for mothers under 21. To determine the final allowance amount, a valid ISEE is needed. You can file without an ISEE or submit it later. Those who submit an ISEE by June 30 will receive all amounts owed dating back to March.
The allowance will not appear on your paycheck. Instead, INPS will deposit it directly into your IBAN account. Payment is made by bank transfer or postal service, to a bank account, postal account, SEPA-zone foreign account, or prepaid card with IBAN. The account must be in the applicant's name (or jointly held if splitting 100%), or in the parents' names if splitting 50%/50%. For guardians only, accounts may be in the guardian's or the minor's name. Cash payment at post offices is also an option.
When Can You Apply for the Universal Child Allowance?
Although payments begin in March 2022, you can apply starting January 1, 2022, according to INPS guidance issued January 3, 2022.
Specifically, you submit one application per year, covering monthly payments from March of the year you apply through February of the following year.
Applications filed between January 1 and June 30, 2022 will receive all amounts owed from March 2022 onward. Applications filed on July 1 or later will receive payment starting the month after you apply. To receive the full amount, apply by June 30, 2022.
