The Generalitat de Catalunya has extended from one month to three months the period in which eligible families can apply for financial support following a birth, adoption, guardianship or foster placement. For families with lower incomes, the change gives more time to submit a claim after a child joins the household.

The new deadline applies to children born, adopted, placed in foster care or placed under guardianship from 14 July 2026. Applications must be made within three months, counted from the day after the relevant event, according to the Generalitat's official family benefit procedure.

The extension was requested by Esther Giménez-Salinas, the Síndica de Greuges, Catalonia's Ombudsman. It was introduced through Law 11/2026 of 9 July on fiscal, financial, administrative and public-sector measures, which amended Article 10 of the 2003 law on family support.

The Ombudsman's office said the change should allow “a greater number of families to exercise their right to receive this financial assistance”.

What eligible families can claim

The benefit is for families whose income does not exceed the limit set by the rules. The Generalitat's Department of Social Rights and Inclusion is responsible for the scheme.

  • The standard payment is €650 for each child.
  • The payment is €750 where the family holds recognised large-family or single-parent-family status in relation to the child concerned.
  • A child born on 8 September can be included in an application until 8 December.
  • For a child born on 31 January, the deadline is 30 April because there is no 31st day in April.

The Síndic de Greuges said the longer period is intended to make the benefit more accessible, particularly for households facing social vulnerability, health problems or other social difficulties. The office also said the new rules include measures intended to move towards awarding the payment automatically.

How to apply

Families can start an application online, apply in person, or use video assistance through the Generalitat's family benefit service. Applicants should check the income conditions and submit the claim within the three-month deadline that applies to their child's date of birth, adoption, guardianship or foster placement.

Primary sources: tramits.gencat.cat, eb.gencat.cat, tramits.gencat.cat, sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es, ub.edu. Reported by Source Text Link, elpais.com, europapress.es, ugtcatalunya.cat, Marta Rodríguez Carrera, seg-social.es, ABC, Virtudes Pérez, Redacción, Llagostera Ràdio, Europa Press Barcelona.