Today the Food Guarantee Fund is paid for Children: Who?

O Children's Food Guarantee Fund is a monthly support to guarantee a child's pension when one of the parents does not comply with this obligation, which is paid this Monday, September 21, by Social Security. 

According to the information provided in site the public body, “this support is intended for children or young people”.

The conditions for entitlement are as follows:

• the child or young person is under 18; 
• the parent who must pay the child support, has not done so; 
• the child or young person and the person with custody of the child or young person (legal representative) living in Portugal; 
• each person in the household, including the child or young person, has gross income (before discounts) below the value of the Social Support Index (IAS).

How long and how long will it take?

The amount to be received refers to “corresponds to the amount fixed by the Court which may not exceed, per month and by each debtor (parent or mother who does not comply with the obligation to pay the child’s or younger child’s pension), an IAS”.

In addition, Social Security explains, the value set depends on: 

• the needs of the child or young person; 
• income from the household;
• the amount of the maintenance pension fixed. 

More information on support

“To know when the right to the Children’s Food Guarantee Fund begins and ends, see the practical guide,” the public body recommends. 

“If the person obliged to pay the maintenance pension does not comply with the amounts due, and the minor does not have an income higher than the value of the Social Support Indexant (IAS), which in 2026 is equal to €537,13, nor does he receive income from another person to whom he is responsible, the State ensures payment of the maintenance pension until the obligation is fulfilled”, can be read in the same document.

It is also mentioned that the “Food Guarantee Fund Due to Minors can charge back the amounts paid, assuming the rights of the child, and may even resort to judicial execution to ensure reimbursement.”.

“ The maintenance pension for minors (children or young people up to the age of 18) serves to ensure their livelihood and benefits are defined by the Court”, is also explained. 

How to ask?

According to Social Security, “in addition to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the fund can be requested by the person with the custody of the child or young person (legal representative), by opening a case in the Court near the place where it lives, against the debtor person (parent or mother who does not comply with the obligation to pay the child’s or younger child’s allowance)”.

Warning: “For information on the needs of the child or young person and their economic situation, the Court will ask information from the District Social Security Centres, which will draw up social reports.”.