“Chile Apoya” Winter Bonus and Extension of Postnatal Leave: learn all the details of the new support measures announced
Learn all the details of the new benefits announced today by the President of Chile, available to the people most affected by inflation and the increased cost of living.
This is good news for millions of people in our country, because the benefits of “Chile Apoya, Plan de Recuperación Inclusiva” (Chile supports, inclusive recovery plan) will extend even further to support the families most affected by the increase in the cost of living and in basic utilities, such as water, electricity and gas.
President Gabriel Boric, along with Treasury Minister Mario Marcel, announced that one of the new benefits is the “Chile Apoya” Winter Bonus. This is a bonus of 120,000 Chilean pesos that will be paid to approximately 7.5 million people registered in the State’s support networks.
These include people who receive the Family Allowance or Single Family Subsidy, beneficiaries of the Security and Opportunities Subsystem, senior citizens who are Winter Bonus beneficiaries, and beneficiaries of the Mental Disability Subsidy, Solidarity Pension Payment and Basic Solidarity Pension for disability. Households that currently do not receive these benefits, but that include a minor, senior citizen or person who is partially or severely dependent or who has a functional disability, and that belong to the most vulnerable 60% of the population of Chile, will also be eligible for the bonus.
Another new benefit announced is the Extension of Postnatal Parental Leave (PPP) established for the duration of winter, allowing a maximum of 60 extra days to parents whose postnatal leave ends any time from today, July 11, up to the cut-off date of September 30.
The President also announced the extension of a new application period for the Protege (Protect) Subsidy from September to December. The beneficiaries are legal guardians, fathers and mothers, registered in the Social Registry of Households, who are responsible for children under 5 years old and have no support network or access to day care.
Another benefit announced is the extension of the deadline to apply for the Employment IFE (Emergency Family Income) through the last quarter of the year, to facilitate workers’ return to formal employment. In this case, projections estimate that the benefit will cover 380,000 beneficiaries, of whom 260,000 represent priority groups.
In announcing these benefits, President Gabriel Boric specified that “we are going to extend the Employment IFE until the third quarter of this year to help facilitate workers’ return to work, especially female workers. Also, after hearing from social organizations and members of parliament, all postnatal leave that is about to end will be extended through the end of the current health emergency in September, and the Protege (Protect) Employment Subsidy will be extended until the end of the year.”
The President emphasized the importance of the new “Chile Apoya” Winter Bonus, declaring that “we know that the increase in the cost of living means that people will need more support, which is why these 7.5 million people will receive 120,000 Chilean pesos. The beneficiaries are not excluded from receiving the other government benefits that we are providing. We believe that this can provide some relief during the current situation in Chile.”
Questions and answers
- How does the “Chile Apoya” Winter Bonus differ from the IFE?
- It is important to remember that the IFE was established under a different scenario, of strict health lockdowns that led to 2 million people losing their jobs and their incomes. Today, although the entire population feels the effects of inflation, this phenomenon specifically affects the poorest among us, because most of their income goes towards food and heating, and therefore they need more concrete assistance. In this case, we aim to reach the 7.5 million people most affected by the increased cost of living.
- Will the “Chile Apoya” Winter Bonus apply to each household or each person? Will it be transferred directly into beneficiaries’ accounts?
- The bonus will be paid through the same channels as other State assistance. For example, Aporte Familiar Permanente (Permanent Family Assistance) is provided per household through the IPS (Social Welfare Institute). On the other hand, those who receive benefits like the Winter Bonus will receive it directly, just like other benefits they receive. For example, a household that belongs to the most vulnerable 60%, made up of a mother, father, a minor and a senior citizen, will receive 120,000 Chilean pesos for the minor (paid to the mother) and 120,000 Chilean pesos for the senior citizen (paid to the senior citizen), totaling 240,000 Chilean pesos.
- When will the “Chile Apoya” Winter Bonus bill be presented to Congress, and when is it expected to become law?
- The bill for the exceptional bonus will be submitted to the Chamber of Deputies this week for immediate discussion.
- Considering that the Protege (Protect) Employment Subsidy and the Employment IFE will be extended until the fourth quarter, how long will the benefits be received?
- The IFE will be paid until December 2022 at the latest, regardless of the date of application. The Protege Subsidy may generate payments through March 2023 for those who apply in December.
- How will these measures be financed?
- We are able to finance this bonus thanks to this year’s fiscal discipline and greater resources from tax return operations. Details will be explained in the presentation of the Public Finance Report.
For more information and details, please visit www.gob.cl/chileapoya.