If having a family entails great responsibilities, it can be said that, in the case of single-parent families, these responsibilities are doubled. And here we’re not just referring to financial responsibilities, but to all the daily efforts made to provide the best conditions and opportunities for children. What many people don’t know is that being recognized as a large family can be beneficial in various ways, and that’s what we’ll discuss in this article.
First, it is essential to define a single-parent family as one consisting of a single parent (mother, father, or legal guardian) and one or more children under the age of 21, or under 26 if they are still in school. According to the INE, the number of single-parent households in 2020 was 1,944,800, with 81.40% consisting of mothers and children.
In order for these families to qualify for a range of tax credits, perks, and benefits, they must provide proof of their status as a large family to their autonomous community. In Catalonia, for example, the application must be submitted to the Department of Labor, Social Affairs, and Families of the Government of Catalonia. This is a simple application that can be submitted in person (by appointment) or online, provided the applicant has a valid digital certificate, a cl@ve, or an IdCAT Móvil certificate. The general documentation required for an initial application consists of:
- National ID number (DNI), Tax ID number (NIF), or Foreign Resident ID number (NIE) of the applicant (the parent) and of any children over the age of 18 who are part of the family unit.
- Complete family book(s) or judgment, notarial act or administrative resolution of the adoption, only in the case that this document has not been previously delivered to the Catalan Institute of Foster Care and Adoption or that does not appear in the family book; or judicial resolution of guardianship, or administrative resolution of foster care.
As we say at Martínez Caballero Abogados, every case is unique, and depending on the family’s circumstances—such as in cases of divorce, widowhood, and/or adoption—the required documentation may be somewhat more extensive, bearing in mind that everything must be thoroughly detailed for the government, thereby ensuring that the application is resolved favorably, quickly, and effectively.
Once the title of large family is recognized, many advantages will be available, whether in the educational and cultural field, health, tax, public transport and other administrations. Shall we highlight the main ones?
- Financial assistance for a dependent minor child.
- Discounts on public transportation tickets.
- Discount of up to 50% of the public price of public kindergartens.
- Deduction in the income tax return.
- 45% rebate on Social Security contributions for personnel hired for home and child care.
- Direct assistance in the down payment for the acquisition of subsidized housing.
- Free family hosteller’s card (with this card, all members of the single-parent family unit can stay in the hostels).
- Access to Minimum Living Income.
- Exemption from payment of administrative fees for the Spanish ID card and passport.
- Discounts on admission to museums, sports and cultural centers.
We could go on listing all the forms of assistance and benefits available to single-parent families—because there are so many! But we’d like to emphasize the importance of this process, which, at first glance, may seem overly bureaucratic, but which opens doors for the entire family, helping to create a healthier and safer home environment—both in the short and long term—and enabling the head of the household to balance work and personal responsibilities while ensuring their children have access to enriching opportunities that are meaningful and valuable.
We encourage you to contact our administrative department, so that you know exactly the step by step process to obtain your degree. Prioritize your family by prioritizing your rights with us, we have a team trained to help you and your loved ones.
Júlia Oliveira
Administrative Assistant
Martínez Caballero Abogados
Administrative Assistant
Martínez Caballero Abogados
