Families Living in Mortgaged Homes Deprived of Children’s Allowance in Armenia

A young family in Armenia is deprived of the 18,000 AMD (about $48 USD) monthly child benefit (or children’s allowance) provided to each family as defined by law if the family lives in a mortgaged home. Yerevan resident Mary, 28, described to Epress.am the problems that her family has been experiencing after their second child was born.

“I received the stipulated amount for my first child [though] I was registered at my parents’ house, but living somewhere else. The second child was born January of this year and we stand before a problem. They say, there’s been a change in the law, and they won’t be providing me the amount since I don’t physically live in the place where I am registered,” said Mary, noting that her and her husband have bought a home by acquiring a mortgage and Armenian citizens are unable to officially register in their mortgaged home until they have paid off their mortgage.

“They’re now urging me either live at your parents’ house or write yourself off from there [i.e. remove yourself as being registered at that address], but after that, I’ll be in a situation of hanging in mid-air,” she said, meaning then she wouldn’t be officially registered at any address in the country.

Mary told Epress.am how she heard from her acquaintances of incidents whereby suggestions were made to parents to first pay the 18,000 AMD they are to receive to the corresponding agency after which the problem will be “solved,” indicating they will receive their monthly child benefit if they put down 18,000 AMD first.

The young mom was convinced that the problem could be resolved through “friends-contacts,” but many don’t have this option and are left out in the cold.

Speaking to Epress.am, a representative with the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs’ Public Relations Department said that according to the RA Law on State Registration of Population, mothers in Armenia are deprived of receiving the children’s allowance for their newborn if they are not registered at the address where they live and live in a mortgaged apartment.

“In my case, the issue is not about the 18,000 drams, but the fact that this problem exists — many other families today need that money,” said Mary.