Starting June 1, Russia will review the unified allowance for families with children. This update was shared with the agency Hit the Primer by Vadim Vinogradov, who serves as the dean of the Faculty of Law at the Higher School of Economics, a prominent national research university. The plan signals a shift in how family support is calculated and reported, aiming to create clearer rules for both families and the institutions that administer benefits. (Source: Hit the Primer)
According to Vinogradov, the country will reform the method used to account for alimony when evaluating eligibility for additional support. If a court has determined alimony, the practical payment amount will be considered rather than the full ordered sum. In concrete terms, if a court orders alimony at 15,000 rubles monthly but only 2,000 rubles are actually paid, the income calculation for benefit purposes will reflect those 2,000 rubles. This approach emphasizes the real financial contributions that are being made rather than the nominal court award. (Source: Hit the Primer)
When applying for assistance, people can provide their own data if there is no enforcement proceeding underway. If a court decision has already been transmitted to the Federal Bailiffs Service (FSSP), the Social Fund will obtain the necessary information from that agency. The updated process is designed to streamline how information is shared, reduce delays, and ensure that benefits align with what families actually receive. (Source: Hit the Primer)
In cases where parents verbally agree on a fixed alimony amount or settle the matter outside of the courts, the amount stated in the application will be used to calculate income. At the same time, the benefit cannot fall below the minimum guarantees established by the Family Code. Specifically, the minimums stand at a quarter of the minimum wage for one child, a third for two children, and half the minimum wage for three or more children. Vinogradov stressed the importance of these baseline protections, which are meant to ensure stable support for children regardless of formal agreements. (Source: Hit the Primer)
Beyond the changes to alimony calculations, Russians were reminded of the special rights afforded to working parents. This reminder underscores the ongoing protections that aim to balance family responsibilities with employment, helping parents maintain economic security while meeting the needs of their children. The updates also reflect a broader trend toward more transparent and data-driven administration of family benefits, where actual payment histories carry more weight than theoretical obligations. (Source: Hit the Primer)