Moldovan grandparents can receive childcare benefits
Employed grandparents in Moldova can take childcare leave and receive a monthly allowance until a grandchild turns three, provided they meet the social insurance contribution requirements.
Who is eligible and how to apply
To qualify, grandparents must have at least three years of social insurance contributions overall or at least nine months of contributions during the 24 months preceding the child's birth. They must also be on childcare leave.
Violeta Roșca, deputy head of the General Directorate for Allowances and Other Social Benefits at the National Social Insurance House (CNAS), said grandparents must first submit an application to their employer requesting childcare leave until the child turns three.
“They must then contact their Territorial Social Insurance Office and submit an application for the monthly childcare allowance until the child turns three. Applicants must provide the following documents, in both original and copy: their identity card, a civil status document confirming the child's birth, the employer's order granting childcare leave, and documents proving their family relationship with the child,” Roșca told Moldpres.
If grandparents apply for childcare leave and the monthly allowance, no other person can receive the same allowance for that child, Roșca added.
Restrictions and pension implications
Grandparents considering this option should also be aware of several restrictions.
The period spent on childcare leave will not count towards the social insurance contribution period used to calculate their old-age pension.
They are also not allowed to work while on childcare leave. Returning to work will result in the suspension of the monthly allowance. Grandparents who decide to resume employment must notify the Territorial Social Insurance Office where they applied for the benefit.
“Grandparents who wish to return to work must inform the Territorial Social Insurance Office where they applied for the monthly childcare allowance,” Roșca said.
How to receive the allowance
Beneficiaries can receive the allowance through a social bank card or by linking an existing bank account to the benefit through Moldova's EVO app.
Alternatively, they can collect the money at any post office in the country.
Those who choose postal payments must collect their money within three months. Otherwise, payments will be stopped.
To have the payments reinstated, beneficiaries must visit their Territorial Social Insurance Office, present their identity card and submit an application.
For further information, beneficiaries can contact the CNAS Call Centre at 022-257-777.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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