Government okays increase in carer’s allowance
On 17 April 2020, the government passed a proposal for a temporary increase in carer’s allowance from the present 60% to 80% of the daily assessment base.
The carer’s allowance is to be increased retrospectively, from 1 April 2020, and shall pay 80% of the daily assessment base for the duration of the extraordinary measure prohibiting the attendance of children at schools, no longer, however, than until 30 June 2020. The beginning of the summer holidays should also be the latest day to which the period of care can be extended. The increase in the carer’s allowance should also apply to carer’s allowances provided on other grounds than schools being closed, or quarantine ordered, as long as the entitlement to the carer’s allowance commenced after 1 April 2020. Carer’s allowances for the period after 1 April that have already been paid in the original amount shall be topped up within 30 days of the act’s effective date, without the need to file an additional application.
According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the reason for increasing the carer’s allowance is that currently many families face hardship because they need to take care of their children. According to a model example prepared by the ministry, the carer’s allowance of parents usually earning gross monthly wages of CZK 25,000 shall increase from CZK 13,320 to CZK 17,760.