Karaki: Doubled increase in workers family allowances, LL2.1 million/spouse and LL1.155 million/child

The Director-General of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Mohammed Karaki, announced Tuesday a new, almost double, increase in family allowances for workers, raising the benefit to LL2.1 million (~$23.46) for a spouse (from LL1.2 million ~$13.41) and LL1.155 million (~$12.90) for each child (from LL660,000 ~$7.37), as part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening social protection amid Lebanon’s worsening economic conditions.

The Media Relations Department of the NSSF said the decision comes within a corrective approach adopted since the 2019 crisis, aimed at restoring the effectiveness of social and health benefits. It noted that allowances had already been previously adjusted in 2025, when they were doubled compared to earlier crisis-era levels.

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Before the economic crisis hit Lebanon in 2019, and the devaluation of the lira against the dollar, the spouse would receive LL60,000 (which amounted to $40 back then) and one child would receive LL33,000 (which amounted to around $20 back then.)

Speaking to L’Orient Today, Karaki said that this adjustment comes as “more funding is allocated to the Fund.”

The statement added that, in light of Lebanon’s difficult economic situation and continued pressures on families, the new adjustment reflects a policy direction to better align social security support with real living costs.

Under the new provisions, the monthly family allowance ceiling was raised to LL7.875 million (~$87.94) (from LL4.5 million ~$50.28), distributed as LL2.1 million (~$23.46) for the spouse and LL1.155 million (~$12.90) per child, up to a maximum of five children.

The maximum insurable earnings subject to deductions were also increased to LL28 million (~$312.84) per month (from LL18 million ~$201.12), expanding the base for contributions and benefits.

For public drivers who operate their own vehicles, the revised monthly ceiling was set at LL4.55 million (~$50.84), including LL1.75 million (~$19.55) for the spouse and LL560,000 (~$6.26) per child, within the set limits.

For non-owner public drivers and newspaper and magazine vendors, the monthly allowance increased to LL1.68 million (~$18.77) from LL1.08 million (~$12.07), while the daily allowance rose to LL56,000 (~$0.63) from LL36,000 (~$0.40).

These amendments take effect as of 1 May 2026 and are part of a broader strategy to modernize Lebanon’s social security system and enhance its social protection role through increased cash assistance to families.

Karaki stressed that adapting to current conditions is “no longer optional but a continuous necessity,” adding that the administration will continue taking measures to ease the impact of ongoing crises on workers and employees. He also thanked Labor Minister Mohammed Haidar and Finance Minister Yassin Jaber for their support.

The NSSF continues to face a long-running financial and operational crisis that worsened after Lebanon’s 2019 economic collapse, with inflation and currency depreciation severely weakening its ability to maintain adequate social coverage, especially in family allowances, healthcare reimbursements, and end-of-service benefits.