Social Protection for Families and Children

New trends in Social Policies. Analyzing the Universal Child Allowance in Argentina

Félix Sabaté, Fernando M. Jaime and Javier CurcioMay 20, 2014

Institutional frameworkEstablished in 2009, 25 Km SE from the City of Buenos Aires. 10.000 undergraduate students

Established in 1992, 30 Km NW from the City of Buenos Aires. 13.000 students.

Projects implemented and partners

University Network for Public Administration and Social Protection

Gender perspective and Local Capabilities implementing Conditional Cash Transfer Programs in Argentina

Academic Partners

Social Policies in Latin AmericaSocial protection policies in Latin America since 1990s have been implemented through two standard mechanisms: Social Investment Funds Conditional Cash Transfer Programs

Social Investment Funds were the most common mechanisms since mid- 80s implemented by multilateral banks in Latin America. Primary aim of SIF was to distribute grants to CSO to fund goods and services for social use, linking the funding to community contribution such as work, materials or financial resources.

Conditional Cash Transfer Programs were first launched in Latin America in the mid 90s. CCTP are focused on the provision of cash to poor families with children, with the condition of periodical health controls and attendance to school and, in some cases, community work. The aim of these programs is to break the intergenerational transfer of poverty by increasing human capital in children.

Policy Diffusion in Latin America

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 20080

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

World Bank Social Investment Funds and CCTP in Latin America

1987-2008

Year Loan Approval

Mill

on o

f U$S

Policy Diffusion in Latin America

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Inter American Development Bank Social investment Funds and CCTP

1987 - 2008

Year Loan Approval

mill

on o

f U

$S

Universal Child Allowance Universal Child Allowance for Social Protection (AUH)

was established in November 2009 by Presidential Decree.

Is a non-contributory benefit for vulnerable sectors in line with the contributory regime of family allowances paid to formal workers.

AUH consolidates CCTP implemented by several federal agencies (Labor, Social Development) that were partially funded by multilateral banks.

AUH also substitutes other cash transfer policies such as scholarships programs implemented by the Ministry of Education.

Universal Child Allowance

Monthly benefit of USD 80 per child (up to 6 children) and USD 250 per handicapped child.

Linked to the compliance of conditionalities: Periodical health controls and attendance to public education system (from kindergarten to upper secondary school)

The benefit is divided in two parts: 80% of the allowance is paid monthly and 20% is frozen in a bank account until conditionalities are verified.

AUH is funded with resources from the contributory system and the earnings of the Sustainability Fund of the National Social Security Administration.

In a framework of decentralization of health and education services, AUH relies on provincial and local government capabilities to provide social services.

Social Protection - Coverage Population under 18 years-

old12.337.747

(100%)

Children covered by Contributory System

6.241.105(51%)

Children covered by non contributory

system

3.283.656 (27%)

Children covered by Income Tax Deduction

668.323(5%)

Children not covered

2.144.663(17%)

AUH is an universalizing tool within the social protection system

AUH – Geographical Focalization

0,0%

5,0%

10,0%

15,0%

20,0%

25,0%

30,0%

35,0%

40,0%

Tier

ra d

el F

uego

Ciu

dad

de B

ueno

s A

ires

San

ta C

ruz

Chu

but

San

Lui

s

Neu

quén

Río

Neg

ro

Ent

re R

íos

La R

ioja

La P

ampa

Bue

nos

Aire

s

San

ta F

e

Cór

doba

Cat

amar

ca

Juju

y

San

Jua

n

Men

doza

Mis

ione

s

Sal

ta

Tucu

mán

Form

osa

Cor

rient

es

San

tiago

del

Est

ero

Cha

co

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Proporción de niños que reciben AUHPS

Indice PBG per capita (eje derecho)*

AUH – Education Enrolment

0,7%

1,1%

1,9%

2,2%

1,4%

0,7%

0,0%

0,3%

0,5%

0,8%

1,0%

1,3%

1,5%

1,8%

2,0%

2,3%

2006/2005 2007/2006 2008/2007 2009/2008 2010/2009 2011/2010

AUH - Health Since AUH was launched there was a 50% increase in

children benefited by Plan Nacer and a 14% increase in pregnant women in that program.

AUH increased by 12% the number of children with complete health controls.

230.000 children included in AUH through Plan Nacer.

Evidence at local level suggests that there was no relevant increase in the provision of basic health services to population not covered by Plan Nacer

Conclusions AUH is a central policy for child protection.

There are discussions whether it should be institutionalized more strongly (rights-based approach) or it should be implemented in a flexible way (social inclusion as a moving target).

The implementation of AUH can generate inter-institutional synergies. Nevertheless, formal mechanisms for coordination with provincial and local levels of government should be put into practice, in particular related to health and education services.