The unique family benefit that was reinstated during the Kast government provides 10 UF (Unidades Fomentables, a Chilean economic unit) to the seventh child of the same sex.

This is a tradition that began in 1976, 50 years ago. Formerly known as "presidential sponsorship," the Presidential Recognition for the Seventh Child is a benefit granted to families in Chile when they have a seventh child of the same sex, provided they demonstrate a vulnerable economic situation. This Monday, after 13 years without it being granted, President José Antonio Kast reinstated the benefit. Various presidents have implemented this program. For example, in 2002, under the government of Ricardo Lagos, when José Miguel Insulza was Minister of the Interior, a family with nine children in Alerce, in the Los Lagos region, received the benefit; in 2006, Michelle Bachelet did the same for the eighth daughter of a family in Rengo, in the O'Higgins region, while Sebastián Piñera also granted it to a family in Temuco in 2011. The last recorded case was in 2013, during Piñera's government, when a family with seven sons in Ovalle received the benefit. Luis Gajardo, a sociologist at the U. Central, argues that this measure, as a public policy, has no meaning. In Chile, it "has no importance as a public policy to encourage childbirth. It makes more sense to promote universal daycare centers or benefits for the first and second child, or to help families acquire a home." This old practice of rewarding the seventh male child is rooted in a patriarchal society that did not value the fundamental contribution of women to Chilean society," Gajardo adds. Under the current Kast administration, the initiative is gaining momentum as this government defines itself as "pro-family." Just this Monday afternoon, Kast himself presented the "Presidential Recognition for the Seventh Child," along with the First Lady, María Pía Adriasola, and the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Máximo Pavez, among others. President Kast with the beneficiary girl. In this case, the benefit was granted to Romina Elizabeth Silva Cueto, the seventh daughter of the Silva Cueto family, from the Placilla area in the Valparaíso region. The family has ten children, and Romina Elizabeth was born on March 8, 2025, making her the seventh daughter in the family, which makes her eligible for this recognition. The ceremony marked the first grant under the new regulations approved in 2025, which formalized and updated this state recognition. Currently, the benefit includes a symbolic dimension, through the delivery of a presidential certificate, and an economic dimension consisting of a contribution of 10 UF deposited in a savings account in the name of the beneficiary child. The period with the highest documented activity of the benefit was between 2009 and 2013. At that time, it consisted of the delivery of checks ranging from $120,000 to $144,000, intended for savings accounts for housing. "For the government of President José Antonio Kast, people and families are at the center of public policies and the main concerns of the State, recognizing the value of each of its members," according to the Presidency, which adds that "in a social context where forming a family implies multiple challenges, this initiative seeks to provide a concrete signal of support and recognition, promoting conditions of greater security, well-being, and hope for Chilean families." President Kast introducing the winning family. In 2025, through Exemption Resolution No. 4759 of the Subsecretariat of the Interior, the benefit was updated and modernized, abandoning the concept of "sponsorship" to become an official Presidential Recognition. Although the benefit has officially existed for five decades, its roots lie in the government of Arturo Alessandri Rodríguez, and it is said to have informally begun in 1901. It is not established by law, but is regulated by Exemption Resolution No. 4759 of the Subsecretariat of the Interior, which repealed Circular 15 of 2ango2. To be eligible, the child must have been born in Chile and have both parents and/or a legal guardian residing in the national territory. In addition, they must not be more than 5 years and 11 months old at the time of application. In the case of foreign parents, they must provide proof of regular immigration status and have no criminal record in the certificate issued by the Civil Registry and Identification Service. Additionally, the family group must be within the 90% of the lowest income or most vulnerable population, according to the Household Social Registry. Applications can be submitted throughout the year and are free of charge. There are three ways to apply: through the form available on the website of the Subsecretariat of the Interior, by letter addressed to His Excellency the President of the Republic, or in person at the social departments of the Regional or Provincial Presidential Delegations.