All family benefits will remain in place also during the containment of the virus, Minister of State for Family Affairs Katalin Novák said at the Wednesday press conference of the Operational Group.

She highlighted that the family tax benefit will remain available, the housing programme for families will continue, the loans attached to ‘csok’ will also remain available, as will the car purchase support for large families and the cancellation of credit debts. At the same time, in light of the consequences of the state of danger, they have simplified the procedure for grandparents claiming child care benefits.

The construction of creches is ongoing, and mothers with four children are not required to pay personal income tax, the Minister of State listed.

Thanks to the family protection action plan, from an allocation of HUF 800 billion, the lives of 170,000 families have been made easier. Also in the future, we will extend, rather than limit family benefits, Ms. Novák stressed.

Honest work constitutes the foundations of family, and therefore, the government has introduced preferential contribution payment options for small businesses active in 26 fields; this measure concerns some 90,000 families. Those who have been compelled to take unpaid leave will continue to remain insured, the government is launching retraining programmes, is making adult training student loans and preferential business loans available, and the limit for SZÉP cards (recreational benefits) will also increase.

The credit repayment moratorium in effect until the end of the year concerns more than 4 million loans, including the baby expecting support and ‘csok’ housing loans. Families will continue to be able to request the cancellation of mortgage debts in relation to children; this is an option that is well worth taking advantage of at this time. The various child care allowances will be automatically extended during the state of danger. At present, administration related to the child raising support can also be arranged remotely, the availability of the car purchase support for large families will be extended, and parking is free throughout the country, Ms. Novák said in summary.

In the present extraordinary situation, supervision is being provided for the children of parents who cannot work from home. There is no obligation to present a language certificate as a prerequisite for the receipt of degrees in the case of dissertations submitted and successfully defended up to the autumn. Student loans need not be repaid at present, and an extraordinary student loan of half a million forints will be available to university students.

The government is also paying attention to the elderly. From next year on gradually, they will again receive a 13th month pension, the redemption of prescriptions has been simplified in the interest of their security, and administration has been made easier for those over the age of 65. A separate time slot has been designated for shopping for the elderly every day. This is, however, not intended as encouragement for the elderly to go shopping daily, Ms. Novák said.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)