Newsroom
Cyprus is scrapping a controversial rule that cost many single-parent families their financial support. The Council of Ministers on Tuesday approved a key change to how the single-parent family allowance is calculated, no longer counting the income of a partner who lives in the same house, unless they’re married, in a civil partnership, or have a child together.
The move, proposed by Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Marilena Evangelou, brings long-awaited relief to single parents who had been losing the allowance simply for cohabiting with someone. Evangelou called the old rule “anachronistic” and out of touch with modern life, adding that it was hard to enforce because proving who lives with whom isn't always simple.
“This change fixes an unfair system that didn’t reflect today’s reality,” Evangelou said after the Cabinet meeting. “For the last two years, we’ve deliberately avoided going after people under this rule while working on a solution.”
The new regulation is expected to ease the pressure on many single-parent households who may have been discouraged from seeking companionship or sharing housing costs out of fear of losing vital support.
The deputy minister also highlighted other efforts already in place to support single-parent families, including:
* Access to special electricity rates (tariff 08) through the Cyprus Electricity Authority
* One-off financial assistance and holiday allowances without harsh income checks
* Simpler application processes for social benefits
* Ongoing dialogue with the Association of Single-Parent Families to tailor future support
“We’re listening, we’re working together, and we’re committed to real, practical help,” Evangelou said, adding that further improvements are on the table as the ministry continues to study additional proposals.
