Family allowances in Uruguay: the two kinds and who gets them

The family allowance is financial support for having dependent children. What many don't know is that there are two versions, with different logics: one tied to work and one designed for households in a vulnerable situation. Here's how they differ.

Family allowance (contributory)

The classic version is tied to work activity (workers, retirees, pensioners). Per the BPS:

Per the BPS:

«Es una prestación económica bimestral que el BPS brinda a los hijos o menores de edad a cargo.»

In English: It is a bimonthly economic benefit that the BPS provides to dependent children or minors.

Family allowance — Plan de Equidad (non-contributory)

The second doesn't depend on contributions, but on the household's situation. The BPS manages it together with MIDES:

Per the BPS:

«Es una prestación mensual en dinero que otorga BPS a familias en situación de vulnerabilidad socioeconómica.»

In English: It is a monthly cash benefit that the BPS grants to families in a situation of socioeconomic vulnerability.

Shared requirements: school and health

In both cases, collecting the allowance has conditions: the child or adolescent must be enrolled in and attending a school, and meet the health checks for their age. Coverage lasts until 14 if in primary school and until 18 if in secondary (with extensions in certain cases).

Which one applies to you?

If you work (or are a retiree/pensioner) and have dependent children, the contributory one applies. If your household is in socioeconomic vulnerability, you may access the Plan de Equidad one, claimed at the BPS/MIDES. You don't collect both for the same child at once.

At a glance

In short: there's a family allowance for your work and one for the household's situation; both require schooling and health checks. Figure out which applies and claim it at the BPS (or BPS/MIDES). Verify current amounts and requirements.