Children’s Shared Residence and Social Security

Abstract

The research project investigated the prevalence and determinants of children’s shared residence using data from a survey conducted among separated parents. Data on how shared residence is recognized in social security benefits in various countries was collected as well. Also, housing benefit expenditure was estimated so that children with shared residence were factored into nonresident parent’s housing benefit.

Almost 30 per cent of children in separated families reside in both parents’ homes. Previously, data on shared residence have been based on THL statistics on confirmed agreements on right of access. Our results show, however, that only half of the families practicing shared residence have their agreement confirmed by a social welfare board. 

Shared residence is most common among children aged 3–12 years, but also younger and older children have these arrangements. Children’s shared residence is more common among highly educated parents or parents with higher incomes. In low-income families, shared residence arrangements may not be achievable as parents are unable to find affordable or otherwise suitable (large enough) housing.

Children’s residential arrangements have implications on both the child’s and the parents’ social security and on their entitlement to many municipal services. Currently, shared residence is not recognized in most social security benefits in Finland, which contributes to the unequal treatment of nonresident parents. In the survey, parents raised issues about the housing benefit, lack of school transportation from the other parent’s home, and nonresident parents’ difficulties in getting necessary information regarding their children from ECEC, school or health care.

The recognition of shared residence in social security benefits varies between countries. Among compared countries, shared residence was taken into account most often in housing benefit and in child benefit. Recognition of shared residence in various benefits is most extensive in Sweden.

Full text (julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi)

Authors

Anneli Miettinen, Mia Hakovirta, Miia Saarikallio-Torp, Mari Haapanen, Paula Kurki, Laura Kalliomaa-Puha, Ella Sihvonen, Hanna-Mari Heinonen, Netta Kivistö

Additional Information

• Peer-Reviewed: no.
• Open Access: yes.
• Cite as: Miettinen, A., Hakovirta, M., Saarikallio-Torp, M., Haapanen, M., Kurki, P., Kalliomaa-Puha, L., Sihvonen, E., Heinonen, H.-M., & Kivistö, N. (2020). Lasten vuoroasuminen ja sosiaaliturva: Vuoroasumisen nykytila ja merkitys etuus- ja palvelujärjestelmän kannalta. Valtioneuvoston kanslia. http://www.urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-383-021-9