The childcare benefit programme for undergraduates introduced at the beginning of this year has already proven successful, as some 150 women have applied for it, Minister of State for Family and Youth Affairs Katalin Novák said on Sunday.

She added that the 70,000 to 80,000 forints (EUR 228-260) per month available to young mothers within the framework of the scheme is instrumental in encouraging families to have children during their university years.

As of this January, mothers who have completed at least two full-time semesters in tertiary education prior to giving birth are eligible to receive childcare benefit until the child reaches one year of age and further support during their continued studies. In the previous system, only one semester of higher education counted towards such benefits, meaning that six months of work was also necessary for eligibility, and accordingly many young women who were unable to enter employment during their studies or immediately after receiving their diplomas did not receive childcare benefit. The previous level of childcare benefit was also less, only equalling the minimum wage.

The Hungarian Government introduced the new system in January 2014 as part of its commitment towards supporting women and mothers in all walks of life.

(Ministry of Human Capacities)