A friend of mine had her husband run off with another woman leaving her and her child with no money whatsoever. She tells me that the only handouts to people in her situation come from charities like Caritas and Cruz Roja which give out food parcels every now and again.

I know that "dole/paro" payments run out after so long (hence the recent extensions by the Zapatero Government) but basically is it true that, after a while, you're on your own?

horrible situation for your friend

I'm not 100% sure, but I think she might be pretty much right

the best thing she can do is get down to her local social services office & ask

she might have a stronger case if the child was born in Spain

If the huband has a job, there might be something that can be done to have some "child support" out of his wages.

Bur that would take time, and lawyers and a load of hassle.

The type of benefit you are talking about,-( which i presume is income support and help with living costs) as far as I am aware does not exist for the native population.

There seems to be a lot of "charities" for diferent nationalities in Spain, so maybe a meeting place for EXpats in the area would of be more help, surley someone should know somethings.

I know a single mum (english) here who has two kids born here to a spanish dad

she does get something in the way of financial help from social services - but I'm not sure what

she took a friend (English) to the social service office when she was in a similar position to the OP the social services office

she was told no help was available as the kids were not born here & the father was English

whether this is legally correct or not I have no idea - but it's what happened

the UK didn't want to know either..................

You need to be more specific as to the nationality, status, time here etc of ALL involved if you want specific advice.

There was a lady where we lived, she had 3 children, only the youngest was born in spain, her and her ex husband were both british and when they seperated she was getting help from soical services. The wife was ill though so im not sure if thats why she got financial help.

Why should it? Mum has emigrated from UK, children born in Spain to a Spanish father, I'd have thought the father and/or Spain would have had some duty to provide assistance.

She can seek "Subsidio" from the Social Office & would likely get it under the circumstances.

This is true. Is the father British or Spanish? are they married, and where? Where was the child born? Where is the husband now?
If it were France, the abandoned mother would consult a pro bono avocat who would set the legal machinery in motion and the Judge would sentence the father to a 'pension alimentaire' for the child. Failure to pay would result in imprisonment. Any children-related matters are dealt with quickly here and always with the child's interests in mind.
It's all very well hoping for financial help from the Social Services, but the father needs to face up to his responsibilities. A Spanish Court lawyer will be able to tell your friend whether the French procedure exists in Spain.
It's a horrible situation to be in, whatever...

To be honest I was asking the question in a general way rather than looking for specific advice. It just seemed odd to me that there appeared to be nothing other than charitable aid. People potentially starving on the street sounds so un European somehow.

My friend (British) with British husband I think the child was born in the UK (though she was here by the time she was two.) She's tried Social Services, she has a lawyer and she's jut about managing with help from friends and relatives.

It is not possible to generalise about these sort of matters especially here in Spain.
Given your friends details then there is no help for her as such regarding benefits from the system.
However, she should contact her local social services and also their local Ayuntimiento. They often will help out in kind but only for a short time.
There are more and more womens associations these days in spain and they will certainly be your best port of call.

Instituto de la Mujer usually offer advice. Probably the only assistance is local church charities wher you queue up and are given things like rice and dried sausage stuff, plus a chance to get your photo in the paper now and then

You see if she was Spanish most probably her family would help her i.e. her parents or grandparents, or her siblings etc. Thats why you dont see people starving on the streets. (on the streets yes, probably just as many as in Britain, but starving, no)

Those who have no family help or are too embarrased to get family help go to the church centres.

That's the difference. British people rely on the state, Spanish people rely on their family. Does your friend have any family who can help her?

yep, 6 months.

so Income Support isn't charitable aid?