Maternity leave. In Russia, paid pregnancy and childbirth leave lasts 140 days: 70 before and 70 after birth. For twins or triplets, it increases to 84 days before birth and 110 afterwards. If complications occur, leave after birth increases to 86 days.
Who can receive the benefit. Unlike childcare benefit, which men may also claim, maternity benefit is available only to women who are: employed; unemployed after dismissal due to an organization’s liquidation during the year preceding recognition as unemployed; full-time students; or serving in the military under contract. Women in these categories may also receive maternity benefit when adopting a child.
Direct payments. From this year, maternity benefit is paid directly by the Social Insurance Fund, rather than through the employer. Women dismissed because an organization was liquidated receive the benefit from social protection authorities at their place of residence. If an insured woman’s length of service is less than six months, her benefit cannot exceed the minimum wage.
How to apply. First, the pregnant woman must register with a medical organisation and obtain a sick-leave certificate. Required documents: a sick-leave certificate, or its number if electronic; a statement of earnings for calculating the benefit, if necessary; and an application to replace years in the calculation period, if necessary.
What to do when pregnancy and childbirth leave ends. A mother may return to work or receive childcare benefit until the child reaches one and a half. If she chooses to work, the benefit may be claimed by the father, grandmother or another family member who will actually care for the child. It cannot exceed 40% of average earnings for one child or 100% for several children.