In view of the rapid increase in the spread of COVID-19, it is planned to introduce a new type of aid for a limited period of time - a one-time sickness benefit. It will be paid in the amount of 60% from the benefit applicant’s average insurance contribution salary for the previous 12 calendar months. The benefit will not be paid if the person works, carries out an economic activity, and earns income or if the person has been granted another social insurance benefit or downtime allowance. It is planned that the sickness benefit will be financed from the state general budget. To receive it, a person will need to submit an application to the State Social Insurance Agency.
This form of support is planned, because due to the spread of COVID-19 certain pre-school education groups or institutions are increasingly being closed and studies in general education programs are being organized remotely. Consequently, many families with children under the age of 10 or a disabled child under the age of 18, and in which the parents due to the nature of their work are not able to work remotely, require support for looking after their child.
The new benefit is provided by the draft law “Amendments to the Law ‘On Maternity and Sickness Insurance’”, which was adopted by the Government at an emergency sitting on Tuesday, 24 November. The Saeima has yet to vote on the draft law.
“When new restrictions are imposed, there must be a compensatory mechanism in return. The amendments to the law proposed by the Ministry of Welfare provide a new type of support to families. It is planned to pay the sickness benefit in cases where kindergarten groups are closed or classes for grades 1 to 4 are held remotely, to allow one of the parents to stay at home with their child,” states Minister of Welfare Ramona Petraviča.
One of the child’s parents will be entitled to claim the one-time sickness benefit for 14 calendar days once in the period from 2 December to 31 December 2020 and once in the period from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021, if he/she cannot work remotely and cares for a child with a disability under the age of 18 or has a dependent child under the age of 10 (inclusive) who, due to Covid-19-related circumstances, is not allowed to attend pre-school or whose studies in a general education program take place remotely.
It is planned that the sickness benefit during this period also will be paid to a support person who cares for a person from the age of 18 with a disability, to whom the municipality has provided access to a day care centre or day centre service, but who is not allowed to visit the day care centre due to COVID-19-related circumstances.
The information was prepared by:
Egils Zariņš
Public Relations Specialist, Communication Department, Ministry of Welfare
Telephone: 64331829
E-mail: egils.zarins@lm.gov.lv