The State has an obligation to take special care of children temporarily or permanently deprived of parental care in order to ensure their wellbeing and development. Such a situation can arise if the parents of the child have passed away or if they are otherwise unable or unwilling to take care of the child.
Read more about the situations when a child has been deprived of parental care, such as suspension or withdrawal of parental custody, the child's separation from their family or adoption.
In Latvia, there are several ways that the State and municipalities provide support for children left without parental care. The support available for children without parental care and for persons who have undertaken their care can be subject to change.
If one of the parents has passed away, the child is entitled to a pension which is provided for the loss of a supporter. The pension is paid to:
- children up to 18 years old or up to 24 years of age where they are enrolled in full time education
- children of the deceased person if they have been recognized as disabled before reaching the age of 18
You can learn more about the pension for the loss of a supporter and the current amount of the pension in the website of the State Social Insurance Agency.
State support
There is different support for orphans, namely, for children who have lost both parents. They are entitled to:
- a double amount of the pension which is paid for the loss of a supporter (for both deceased parents)
- the use of public transportation in Latvia free of charge
You can learn more about the pension for the loss of a supporter and the amount in the website of the State Social Insurance Agency.
Municipality support
When turning 18, the child who has lost both parents is entitled to support from the municipality which has decided on his/her out-of-family care:
- one-time financial support for the start of an independent life and purchasing articles of first necessity
note The municipality can also provide these articles free of charge
- financial and other support in finding and maintaining accommodation (accommodation allowance)
note The allowance is only paid until the age of 24 years.
- monthly financial support where the orphan continues studies
Some municipalities also provide additional support which is not mentioned above. To learn more about the support provided in your municipality and how to receive it, please, contact the social services or social department in your municipality.
The State provides support in two ways if a child has been appointed a guardian:
- a benefit to the guardian for supporting the child
- financial remuneration for performing a guardian’s duties
note The guardian receives the abovementioned support during the time the child is considered to be in his/her custody.
Learn more about the support for guardians and the amount in the website of the State Social Insurance Agency.
The care of a child in foster families or other family-oriented environment is preferable to institutionalized out-of-family care. Therefore, the foster family is entitled to:
- a monthly allowance, the amount of which depends on the number of children living in the family
- monthly financial support from the municipality for maintaining the child
note The amount of this type of support can differ from municipality to municipality
- annual financial support provided by the municipality for the purchase of clothing and other necessary items for the child (or support in goods)
- the assistance of a social worker, psychologist and other specialists provided by the municipality
You can learn more about the State provided monthly allowance in the website of the State Social Insurance Agency and find out more about the other kinds of support from the social service or social department in your municipality.
A person who has adopted a child has the right to receive remuneration for the adoption of a child. It is a lump sum paid soon after the adoption of a child. Adopters are also entitled to receive remuneration for the care of an adopted child. The amount of the remuneration depends on the age of the adopted child, your employment status and the number of adopted children in the family. Additionally, adopters receive the same social benefits as every parent, such as, for example, parental benefit.
You can learn more about the support for adopters and the amount in the website of the State Social Insurance Agency.
Read more about adoption.