In Italy, family policies have developed relatively recently since overcoming the traditional social context, which saw the woman excluded from work outside the family context.
A universal and traditional providence provided to support workers with families, of an economic nature, is the Household Allowance (ANF). It is provided by the INPS to the households of certain categories of workers, pensioners and those entitled to economic benefits from employed employment.
The amounts granted shall be updated annually.
The allowance is paid by the employer, on behalf of the INPS, to employees in active employment, upon payment of remuneration.
The ANF shall be paid directly by the INPS if the applicant is:
- domestic service worker;
- registered in the Separate Management;
- fixed-term employed agricultural labourer;
- worker in discontinued or bankrupt firms;
- recipient of other social security benefits.
ANF are returned to the following subjects:
- employees in the private sector;
- agricultural employees;
- domestic and administered workers;
- workers enrolled in the Separate Management;
- employees of discontinued and bankrupt firms;
- pensioners covered by the Employee Pension Fund, special funds and former Enpals;
- persons in receipt of social security benefits;
- workers in other direct payment situations.
The allowance is paid from the first day of the period of pay or payment of the social security benefit if there are conditions for its payment (e.g., marriage celebration, birth of children).
The amount of the allowance is calculated on the basis of the type of household, the number of members and the total income of the household, calculated in relation to income produced in the calendar year preceding 1 July of each year and which have value until 30 June of the following year. Many health-related or compensation revenues are excluded from the calculation. The total income of the household must be at least 70% of the income from paid and assimilated work.
In addition to the Household Allowance, there are other economic benefits for families, the main ones being:
- allowance to households of municipalities;
- marriage leave allowance;
- ordinary purchase card;
- solidarity allowance;
- income from Inclusion.
