Starting this March, vulnerable families in the country will have greater state financial contributions to ensure their economic security. This, after the approval of a proposal promoted by the Executive, already also supported by the Senate.
At its core, the project includes three main lines:
Doubles the Permanent Family Contribution (AFP) in 2023.
It permanently increases the Family Allowance (AF) and Maternal Allowance, as well as the Single Family Subsidy (SUF).
Create the Electronic Family Pocket.
The text was supported by 144 votes in favour, with 1 abstention in the two votes overall. As they were not indicated, it was also supported in particular by the same vote. With this, it was possible to proceed to the promulgation phase.
Family Contribution
The Permanent Family Contribution (exbono March) will be paid in a single installment from this month by the Social Security Institute. In the case of beneficiaries who are staff of centralised and decentralised public institutions, payment shall be made together with the March 2023 remuneration.
The extraordinary contribution will be $ 60,000 for each of the beneficiaries of the Permanent Family Contribution. This, for each cause of family allowance or family allowance that the beneficiary has on December 31 of the year prior to its granting, or for each family, as the case may be.
The amount indicated will be added to the current figure of $59,457. Thus, the final contribution to receive will be $ 119,457.
This contribution will not constitute remuneration or income for any legal purpose and, consequently, will not be taxable or taxable. Nor will it be subject to any discount.
AF and SUF
As of May 1, 2023, the AF-M of the Single System of Family Benefits, will have the following values:
$20,328 per load, for those beneficiaries whose monthly income does not exceed $429,899.
$12,475 per load, for those with a monthly income greater than $429,899 and not exceeding $627,913.
$3,942 per load, for beneficiaries whose monthly income exceeds $627,913 and does not exceed $979,330.
Those who exceed the aforementioned amount will not be entitled to the aforementioned allowances.
As of the same date indicated, the SUF will be $ 20,328 per month.
The family allowance regulated in this Act shall be granted automatically when the perpetrators are children or adolescents under 18 years of age who belong to households in the socio-economically vulnerable 40 per cent of the population.
Electronic Family Pocket
As of May 1, 2023 and until December 31, 2023, the so-called “Electronic Family Pocket” will be implemented.
It will be a monthly contribution destined to the purchase or to complement the payments of the purchases of all types of products in stores of the food item, as decided by the beneficiary. It will be in favor of the persons causing the AF-M and those causing the SUF, provided that they receive these benefits for having income equal to or less than $ 979,330.
The causes of the families using the “Security and Opportunities” subsystem (Law 20,595) will also receive this contribution. This, provided that they are not beneficiaries of any of the subsidies or assignments just mentioned. For these purposes, the members of these families who meet the following requirements will be considered as causes:
People with disabilities, duly accredited.
Students with special educational needs of a permanent nature who participate in the School Integration Program of the Mineduc.
Students enrolled in educational establishments with special education modality recognized by the Mineduc.
Students from 18 to 24 years 11 months.
People under 18 years of age.
Each deceased will be entitled to a contribution of $ 13,500 per month. Their payment will be made monthly by the Social Security Institute through contracted electronic means.
It will apply even if the beneficiary was covered by different social security schemes and performs different jobs. They will receive the same treatment when they are invoked in that capacity by more than one beneficiary. In this last event, the beneficiary mother will always be preferred.
As a general rule, it will correspond to the beneficiary at whose expense the deceased lives.
The amount will be usable in a single payment (up to the limit corresponding to the available balance) or in a percentage of the purchase. If there is a balance remaining at the end of each months, this will accumulate for the following months.
The largest fiscal expenditure represented by the application of this law will be financed from the resources of the Public Treasury. In the following years, it will be considered by the Public Sector Budget Law.
Reactions
Two hours of debate took place in the Chamber of the Chamber around the project that doubles the Family Contribution (AFP) in 2023, permanently increases the Family Allowance (AF) and Maternal Allowance, as well as the Single Family Subsidy (SUF), along with creating the Electronic Family Pocket.
Boris Barrera (PC) stressed that the rule is good news for Chilean families. He highlighted the increases that the initiative establishes. Additionally, he said that in a country where more than half of workers earn the minimum wage, measures are required to enable families to survive.
Alberto Undurraga (DC) said he expects the Government to deliver clear and pedagogical information regarding how the benefit works. He explained that there are people who do not really know whether or not they are beneficiaries and how these charges are made.
For Maite Orsini (RD), the initiative is an adequate response of the Executive in the face of a context of inflation, which makes life difficult for the most vulnerable families. Thus, he highlighted the delivery of the benefits contemplated here. “We hope they will be approved and reach the thousands of Chileans who are waiting for this help soon,” he said.
On the other hand, Gastón Von Mühlenbrock (UDI) valued the modifications made to the project. However, he expressed concern for the middle class, thinking about the precarious economic situation and high unemployment. In that line, he called for creating intelligent measures that encourage the country’s economic growth.
Frank Sauerbaum (RN) stated that the month of March is difficult for families, so the proposed instrument works. However, he considered it miserable and petty. He criticized the electronic pocket, pointing out that the reality of Rut Account users is ignored as the complexity it will cause in older adults.
For his part, Jorge Guzmán (Evópoli) valued that progress is being made in dialogue and in the face of citizenship. Similarly, he stressed that the proposal puts minors first, with the automation of the delivery of the SUF to children and adolescents of the most vulnerable 40% of the population.
Meanwhile, Deputy Rubén Oyarzo (PDG) pointed out that concrete and direct aid is required to the pockets of the people of the middle class of whom so much is talked about but who never receives help from the State and who hopefully make ends meet. He said that today the aid is being too focused.
Ministers Mario Marcel and Giorgio Jackson spoke for the Executive. The first, beyond the technical aspects contained in the standard, referred to the middle class.
It is worth mentioning that one of the points mentioned in the debate by the deputies was the need to promote measures for this sector.
In this regard, Marcel indicated that, for this, fiscal resources are required, pointing to the need for the approval of a tax reform. In addition, he noted that, according to a survey published today, 85% of the population is in favor of such a measure.
In this context, he said that the Government remains available to talk about the issue. He also commented that he hopes that progress can be made in this initiative and fulfill this commitment.
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