01
Family allowance
Family allowance helps with the costs of children/young people. Residence/equivalent status, income and other conditions are assessed; documentation can also matter for foreign children.
APOIOS
Having a NISS does not automatically mean being entitled to every benefit.
Family benefits, unemployment, sickness, parental and other support schemes have their own residence, contribution, income, age or household conditions.
What you need to know
Start with the essentials
02
Social Security Direct
Many applications, evidence submissions and consultations are handled through Segurança Social Direta using NISS and appropriate authentication.
03
Contributory vs non-contributory
Some benefits depend on contribution history; others assess economic resources and household composition. Do not assume they all use the same rule.
04
Housing and family support
Housing support, family allowance and school social support belong to different systems. Use the official service for the specific benefit.
Important: Do not hand personal documents to someone promising to “activate benefits” in exchange for money. Entitlement depends on legal conditions and the competent public body.
Confirm before acting
Family allowance — gov.pt ↗Social Security ↗
Porta 65 Jovem ↗
Requirements and channels can change. Check the official source at the time you act.