Treated Equally? Disabled Parents and Family Policy in Hungary

The effects of family policy measures on parents with disabilities is an understudied topic both in disability and family scholarship. Based on the results of interviews with field experts and policy makers, the present case study aims to explore the extent to which the current – strongly pronatalist – family policy of Hungary is able to meet the specific needs of disabled parents. Firstly, we outline the main objectives and instruments of the family policy mix of the Orbán-led Hungarian governments in office since 2010. Secondly, we analyse the family formation opportunities of people with disabilities in Hungary, and their access to family allowances. We describe their labour market situation, and reach the conclusion that the dominance of the employment-based family support schemes is unfavourable for the majority of parents with disabilities.