Perks of working at EuropeAid: Family allowances

Did you know that EuropeAid staffers receive a special grant at the birth of each child? The gift is worth around $270. The European Commission provides a wide array of benefits to its employees, including allowances supporting the families of those working at headquarters or overseas. As a rule, currently employed permanent officials and contract agents as well as those receiving retirement pension, invalidity allowance or survivor’s pension are all entitled to these family allowances. Here are the family-related allowances employees at EuropeAid and other agencies of the European Commission enjoy, including their terms and eligibility requirements. Birth of a child grantAmount: €198.31Terms: one timeEligibility: at the birth of a child; when adopting a child aged below 5; in case of termination of pregnancy after no less than seven months. Household allowanceAmount: €170.52, plus 2 percent of the salaryTerms: monthlyEligibility: married, widowed, divorced, legally separated or unmarried permanent officials and contract agents with stable nonmarital partners, and one or more dependent children. Dependent child allowanceAmount: €372.61 per child. It is doubled when the child has a mental or physical handicap, whose treatment would incur high expenses, and if the person receiving the allowance is entitled to a survivor’s pension.Terms: monthlyEligibility: officials with dependent children aged 18 or below or with children aged between 18 and 26 who are still studying.Other provisions: After 18, the allowance is granted in case of a serious illness or conditions that prevent the child from making sufficient earning. Prescholar allowanceAmount: €91.02Terms: monthlyEligibility: officials with children aged below 5 or not yet enrolled full-time at a primary or secondary school. Education allowanceAmount: reimbursement of the costs of education up to a maximum of €252.81 for each dependent child. It could be higher for officials serving overseas. It can be twice the maximum amount for those with children enrolled in a European school or in other special kinds of schools, located at least 50 kilometers away from the officials’ place of employment.Terms: monthlyEligibility: officials with children aged at least 5 (up to 26) attending schools that charge fees; orphans. This article is part of our ongoing coverage of EU aid career opportunities. Check the Devex website in the coming days for more information on EU travel benefits, health insurance, leave and opportunities for professional development.