Asignaciones familiares, meaning "family allowances" or "family allocations," are government-mandated cash benefits paid to employees with dependent family members. These allowances exist in several Latin American countries and are designed to help workers offset the costs of raising children and supporting their families.
Argentina's System
Argentina has one of the most comprehensive family allowance systems in Latin America, administered by ANSES (the social security agency). Benefits include a monthly per-child allowance (asignación por hijo), a prenatal allowance, a maternity allowance, a marriage allowance, a school start allowance (ayuda escolar anual), and a birth allowance. Amounts vary based on the employee's salary zone and number of children.
Funding and Eligibility
Family allowances are typically funded through employer contributions to the social security system, not paid directly from the employer's pocket. Eligibility depends on the employee's salary level — higher earners may receive reduced or no family allowances. In Argentina, employees earning above a certain ceiling are not eligible for most family allowances.
EOR Relevance
An EOR manages family allowance registration, ensures correct employer contributions to the social security fund, and helps employees claim their entitled benefits. In Argentina, the EOR also handles the DDJJ (sworn declarations) submitted to ANSES that determine each employee's family allowance entitlements.