Reducing work to care for a child with cancer or serious illness

Key rules

• Minimum reduction: Your working day must drop by at least half.
• Payment: CUME pays 100% of the regulatory base, in proportion to the hours you cut.
• Child's age: The child must be under 18 when the benefit starts.
• Certificate: The health service must certify the illness and the need for care.

What the benefit is

If your child has cancer or another serious illness, you can cut your working day and still receive pay for the lost hours. The benefit is called CUME. It is paid by Social Security, not by your employer. It is separate from birth leave.

Who can claim

You can claim if all of these apply:

• You are a parent, adopter or foster carer of a child under 18.
• The child has cancer or another illness on the official list, and is in hospital or needs continuous care.
• The health service certifies the illness and the need for care.
• You are registered with Social Security, as an employee or self-employed person, and have paid in enough. The required contribution period depends on your age.
• You reduce your working day by at least half.

What it pays

CUME pays 100% of the regulatory base used for sick pay from common illness. The amount is proportional to the hours you cut. If you cut your hours by half, you receive the benefit for that half.

How long it lasts

The first period is up to one month. After that you can extend it in two-month periods while your child still needs care. It can continue until the child turns 23, as long as the child was under 18 when it started.

What to do

1. Ask the child's hospital or health service for the certificate of illness and need for care.
2. Agree the reduced working day with your employer.
3. Apply to Social Security (INSS) with the certificate.
4. Apply again for each extension before the current period ends.

The timeline and the questions below cover the steps and common doubts. Ask the INSS to confirm your contribution requirement and the current rules for your case.

Timeline and deadlines

• Get the health service to certify the illness and the need for care: before you start the reduced hours

• Start the reduced working day, cutting hours by at least half: while the child is under 18

• First payment period: up to 1 month from the start

• Extend the benefit while care is still needed: in periods of 2 months each, until the child turns 23

Frequently asked questions

How long can I keep receiving CUME for my child?

You can keep receiving CUME until your child turns 23, as long as the need for care continues. It is first granted for up to 1 month, then extended in periods of 2 months. The child must be under 18 when it starts.

Do I need to work full-time hours to be paid CUME?

No, you need to cut your working hours by at least half, not stop working. The payment is proportional to the reduction, so a larger cut means a larger payment.

Does my child's illness have to be on an official list?

Yes, the illness must be on the official list of serious illnesses and be certified by the health service. The child must also be hospitalised or need continuous care. Parents, adopters and foster carers can all apply.