Eligibility criteria and the amount of payments for children under three have changed. Since 2022, more families can apply for monthly payments for their first and second child under three. To qualify, per-capita family income must be below twice the subsistence minimum for the year of application, rather than for the second quarter of the previous year as before. The benefit will also increase. It will equal the regional subsistence minimum for children for the year in which the family applies.

What this means. Families with higher incomes can now receive this benefit. This is fair: as the subsistence minimum rises, so do the criteria for recognizing families as in need. Payments at the new rate will be received if the benefit was awarded or extended on applications submitted from 2022.

Payment conditions. Monthly benefit is available to families whose first or second child was born or adopted on or after 1 January 2018. The children and benefit recipients must be Russian citizens. Income per family member must not exceed twice the regional subsistence minimum. The region is determined by the place where the application is submitted.

Income per family member is calculated as follows: all family members’ income over 12 months (the period ends six months before the application date) / 12 months / number of family members. The calculation includes the income of the parent (adoptive parent or guardian), their spouse and minor children. The resulting figure is compared with twice the regional subsistence minimum.

When and where to apply. If an application is submitted within six months of the child’s birth, the payment is awarded from the birth date and several months are paid at once. If you apply later, payment starts on the application date. The payment must be renewed: it is first awarded until age one, then two, and then three. Apply to social welfare authorities or a multifunctional centre. For a second child, you can apply in person to the local Pension Fund office or through its website.

Important!

  • For the second child, funds are paid from maternity capital. Payments stop if it has been fully spent.
  • The payment may be received on a Mir card or into an account not linked to a card.
  • This benefit has no zero-income rule or property requirements.
  • In more than 70 regions, benefit until age three is available for third and subsequent children. The region sets payment conditions.