State for families: what support measures exist in Russia

Assistance is provided from the moment of pregnancy until the child’s seventeenth birthday

Since February 1, maternity capital has been indexed. Now they give 587 thousand rubles for the first child, and 775.6 thousand rubles for the second child, if the money has not been paid before. Matkapital is one of the most popular government support measures for young families, but not the only one. We will talk about what benefits the Social Fund of Russia pays in this article.

Single allowance

Starting this year, a single allowance is paid in Russia, which pregnant women and parents of children under 17 can count on. Families whose average per capita income does not exceed the subsistence minimum in the region have the right to a new measure of support.

Benefit for pregnant women

To receive a single allowance, a pregnant woman should apply to the Social Fund of Russia. She can do this from the twelfth week of pregnancy until the moment of delivery or termination of pregnancy. The funds are paid for the period from the month of registration, but not earlier than the sixth week of pregnancy.

It should be noted that the size of the single allowance is 50%, 75% or 100% of the subsistence minimum for an able-bodied adult, depending on the ratio of family income and the average per capita subsistence minimum in the region.

To receive a payment, you need to apply through the State Services portal or contact the customer service of the Social Fund of Russia at the place of residence. You can also apply for a grant at the MFC.

Allowance for parents of children under 17 years of age

The single allowance combines a number of payments for parents – for the first and third child under 3 years old, as well as for children from 3 to 8 years old and from 8 to 17 years old.

With the introduction of a single allowance, a transitional period is provided: families where children were born before the end of 2022 can choose whether to receive already assigned payments or apply for a new allowance. The amount of the monthly allowance depends on the ratio of family income and the subsistence level in the region. The payment can be 50%, 75% or 100% of the child’s living wage. Families with several children under 17 receive a single allowance for each child.

Note that a single allowance is assigned for one year and is extended upon application.

Maternity allowance

If a woman works, she can count on this allowance if she is on maternity leave or adopts a baby up to three months old.

The amount of the benefit in 2023 is:

• normal childbirth, payment for 140 calendar days of maternity leave – from 74,757.20 rubles to 383,178.60 rubles.
• complicated childbirth (singleton pregnancy), payment for 156 calendar days of maternity leave – from 83,300.88 rubles to 426,970.44 rubles.
• complicated childbirth (multiple pregnancy), payment for 194 calendar days of maternity leave – from 103,592.12 rubles to 530,976.06 rubles.

If a woman does not work (namely: if the employment center recognized the woman as unemployed within a year from the date of her dismissal), then the allowance is provided for the entire period of maternity leave in a fixed amount. The allowance is indexed once a year.

One-time allowance at the birth of a child

This is a one-time payment given to one of the working parents. When two or more children are born, this allowance is paid for each child. If one of the parents does not work, the worker will receive the allowance.

The amount of the allowance for the birth of a child from February 1, 2022 is 22,909 rubles.

If both parents are not working or are studying full-time at a higher or vocational school, they may also be entitled to an allowance. The payment is given in a fixed amount.

Maternity capital as a monthly payment

Maternity capital funds can be used to receive a monthly payment, provided that the average per capita income of the family does not exceed twice the subsistence level in the region of residence. The payment is made until the child reaches the age of three.

The monthly payment is made in the amount of the subsistence minimum for children, established in the region where the family lives. The allowance is established for a year, but for a period not exceeding the age of three years.