OPECA: Countdown for A21 applications for child benefit

Time is counting down for the A21 application platform for child benefit.

According to information expected to open within Holy Week. The entitled amount, per case, will be calculated based on the dependent children to be declared in the A21 of 2023 and the total family income of the citizens of the tax year 2022. However, until the submission of the Income Tax Declaration for 2023 will be taken into account for the calculation of the entitled amount the incomes of the tax year 2021.

According to him OPECA in cases where the sufficient attendance of minor children in compulsory education is not fulfilled at the end of the 2022-2023 school year due to an unjustified number of absences, the child benefit is interrupted from 1-7-2023 until 31-12-2023 and is not re-granted even if the child enrolls in the new school year 2023-2024.

It is noted that the amount of the child benefit for the beneficiaries will be calculated based on:

• of dependent children to be declared in A21 of 2023 and
  of the total family income that the beneficiaries had in the tax year 2022.

By following the steps below, you will be informed if you are entitled to child benefit.

Step 1 – Submission of E1 and A21 application The benefit is calculated based on the dependent children declared in A21 of the year 2023 and according to the last cleared tax return. However, in order for the beneficiaries to know the correct amount of their allowance for the year 2023 and to avoid the accumulation of amounts paid unnecessarily, it is recommended to submit an income tax return-E1 for the current year (2022 income). The payment of the installment of child benefit that will be made after the deadline for submitting this year’s E1, will only include those applicants who have submitted this year’s tax return.

Step 2 – Login Log in to the application with your TaxisNet credentials by clicking on the link that follows the instructions. Upon entering the system you will be asked to confirm the AMKA and consent to the processing of the data required, that is, yours, your spouse or cohabiting partner and your protected children.

Step 3 – Consent After entering, a form will appear where you will have to select your current marital status. Married and separated persons should enter the TIN and AMKA of his/her spouse. Carefully read the text regarding the Consent for Child Benefit and click [Συναίνεση] (to start filling in and submitting the application-responsible declaration of child benefit A21).

Step 4 – Completing the Application The child benefit application will contain pre-filled your personal information and the composition of your family. Some of the fields of the application should be filled in by you, such as identity information, address and contact information, as well as the IBAN to which you are a beneficiary or co-beneficiary for the payment of the allowance.

Step 5 – Family Composition The child benefit application includes a table with the composition of your family. For some members it may be required to fill in additional information, such as student information. Pressing [Αλλαγή Στοιχείων] you will be directed to the member’s details form for which you will enter and enter additional details. If any of the children should not participate in the application, you must delete a child. Additionally, if a member is not included in your pre-populated family composition, you will need to add a child. In the same list there is relevant information next to the name of the person who may need to consent to the benefit. His consent requires logging into the app with his TaxisNet credentials.

Step 6 – Notes & Documentation When saving or submitting the application, the application may display notes at the bottom of the form with important information related to the application. You may be asked to attach supporting documents relating to you or a protected member. Some of the supporting documents are mandatory for submitting the child benefit application.

Step 7 – Registration and Submission At the bottom of the application you can press [Αποθήκευση] or [Υποβολή]. By saving, the application is temporarily registered in the system and you can come back later one or more times to fill in additional member details or attach supporting documents that may be required. After the final submission of the application, it will not be possible to modify it. The verification of the attached supporting documents is carried out by OPECA only after the final submission of the application. Please note that an incomplete application is not considered submitted.
Cancellation of Application If, after submitting the application, you find that there is a mistake, you can cancel it by clicking [Οι Αιτήσεις Μου] / [Προβολή] / [Ακύρωση Αίτησης] and then start a new application-responsible declaration (A21) for child benefit. When it is completed, it must be submitted for good.

Beneficiaries’ money

Two-parent families

Examples:

• Family with 2 parents and 2 children, with an annual income of 28,000 euros: The equivalence scale of the family is : 1 + 1/2 +1/4 + 1/4 = 2. Therefore the equivalent income is : 28,000 euros / 2= 14,000 euros . So the family belongs to the C income scale and will receive a 56 euro allowance per month.
• Family with 2 parents and 1 child, with an annual income of 26,000 euros: The equivalence scale of the family is: 1 + 1/2 +1/4 = 1.75. Therefore, the equivalent income is: 26,000 euros / 1.75 = 14,857 euros. So the family belongs to the C income scale and will receive a 28 euro allowance per month.
• Family with 2 parents and 2 children, with an annual income of 18,800 euros: The equivalence scale of the family is: 1 + 1/2 +1/4 + 1/4 = 2. Therefore, the equivalent income is: 18,800€ / 2= 9,400 euros . So the family belongs to the B income scale and will receive an 84 euro allowance per month.
• Family with 2 parents and 3 children with an annual income of 13,000 euros: The equivalence scale of the family is: 1 + 1/2 +1/4 + 1/4 +1/4 = 2.25. Therefore, the equivalent income is: 13,000 euros / 2.25 = 5,777 euros. So the family belongs to the A income scale and will receive 280 euros per month.
• Family with 2 parents and 2 children with an annual income of 12,000 euros: The equivalence scale of the family is : 1 + 1/2 +1/4 + 1/4 = 2. Therefore the equivalent income is : 12,000 euros / 2= 6,000 euros. So the family belongs to the A income scale and will receive 140 euros per month.
• Family with 2 parents and 4 children with an annual income of 14,500 euros: The equivalence scale of the family is: 1 + 1/2 +1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 = 2.5. Therefore, the equivalent income is: 14,500 euros 2.5 = 5,800 euros. The family belongs to the A income scale and will receive 420 euros per month.
• Family with 2 parents and 4 children with an annual income of 24,500 euros: The equivalence scale of the family is: 1 + 1/2 +1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 = 2.5. Therefore, the equivalent income is: 24,500 euros / 2.5 = 9,800 euros. The family belongs to the B income scale and will receive 252 euros per month.
• Family with 2 parents and 5 children with an annual income of 27,000 euros: The equivalence scale of the family is: 1 + 1/2 +1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 +1/4 = 2.75. Therefore, the equivalent income is: 27,000 euros / 2.75 = 9,818 euros. The family belongs to the B income scale and will receive 336 euros per month.

Single parent families

Examples

• Single-parent families with 3 children and an annual income of 12,000 euros: The equivalence scale of the family is: 1 + 1/2 +1/4 + 1/4 = 2. Therefore, the equivalent income is: 12,000 euros / 2= 6,000 euros. So the family belongs to the A income scale and will receive 280 euros per month.
• Single-parent families with 1 child and an annual income of 9,000 euros: The family equivalence scale is: 1 + 1/2 = 1.5. Therefore, the equivalent income is: 9,000 euros / 1.5 = 6,000 euros. So the family belongs to the A income scale and will receive 70 euros per month.
• Single-parent families with 2 children and an annual income of 10,500 euros: The equivalence scale of the family is: 1 + 1/2 + 1/4 = 1.75. Therefore, the equivalent income is: 10,500 euros / 1.75 = 6,000 euros. So the family belongs to the A income scale and will receive 140 euros per month.

Child Benefit contact number

**Interview with ‌A Government Representative⁣ about⁤ the Upcoming⁣ A21 Child Benefit Application⁤ Platform**

**Interviewer:** Thank you⁣ for joining us today. With the‌ A21 application platform for child benefit set to open on February 26,⁤ 2024, can you share what parents should‌ know before applying?

**Guest:**​ Thank⁣ you for having me. It’s important for parents to prepare for the opening of the A21 ⁢platform. ⁢The amount of child benefit they may be entitled to ‍will depend on ⁢the number of dependent children declared ⁣in their A21 application for the year 2023,‌ as ⁢well as their total family ​income from the tax year 2022.

**Interviewer:** How should families calculate their entitlement?

**Guest:** Families should first submit their income tax return,⁢ known as E1, for the year 2022. This will give them a clearer idea of their total income,‍ which ⁣will be used alongside the number of dependent children reported in A21 to⁤ calculate‍ the benefit amount.

**Interviewer:** And are ​there ​any specific ‌requirements that parents should be aware of?

**Guest:** Yes, indeed. One significant requirement is attendance in compulsory education. If a child has an unjustified number of absences resulting in insufficient attendance, the child benefit will be interrupted from July ‌1, 2023, until the end of the year. ⁣It’s crucial for parents to ensure their children meet these educational requirements.

**Interviewer:** What steps should parents follow to complete their application on the platform?

**Guest:** The process is quite straightforward. After ⁣logging in with their TaxisNet credentials,‌ they’ll need to fill ‍in⁤ their personal information, confirm marital status, and declare⁤ the composition of‍ their family. I recommend that they⁣ pay close attention to the pre-filled information to ensure everything ​is accurate. they should gather any‍ required supporting documents as these are mandatory for submission.

**Interviewer:** Once the application is submitted, can parents make changes if they find errors?

**Guest:** Yes, if parents ⁢realize there’s a mistake after submitting, they can locate their application, cancel it, and start a ‍new ⁣one. However,‍ once they’ve finalized their application‍ and it has been submitted, they will not be able to make changes.

**Interviewer:** Is there any final advice you would ⁤give to potential⁤ applicants?

**Guest:** I urge⁢ parents to apply as soon as the platform opens⁣ and ensure they have all necessary documentation ready. This way, ⁣they can avoid any delays in receiving their benefits. It’s also best to⁣ carefully review all parts of the⁢ application for accuracy, as this can help prevent unnecessary complications down the road.

**Interviewer:** Thank you for the essential information⁣ and guidance for families preparing to apply for child ⁤benefits.

**Guest:** Thank you for having me, and I wish all families the ‍best in their applications!