MINSK, 11 May (BelTA) - Br3.4 billion will be earmarked this year for the system of state benefits, Belarusian Deputy Labor and Social Security Minister Valery Kovalkov told reporters in Minsk on 10 May, BelTA has learned.
"State budget expenditures on social support of families with children annually amount to over 3% of GDP. This year alone, Br3.4 billion will be designated for the system of state benefits, of which Br1.8 billion will be spent on allowances for children under the age of 3," the deputy minister said.
He also added that today 380,000 children are covered by the system of state benefits. Of these, 207,000 are children under 3 for whom parents receive childcare allowances. Valery Kovalkov also noted that the amount of an allowance is significant. "From 1 May of this year, due to the increase in the subsistence budget, benefits have also increased. At the birth of the first child, a family receives Br4,200. The one-time allowance is almost Br6,000 for the second and subsequent children," he said.
The deputy minister noted that the allowance for children under the age of 3 exceeds the minimum wage. "A family receives Br725 for the first child and Br828, for the second and subsequent children. A family also receives allowances for children over 3 years old if it has a child under 3," Valery Kovalkov said.
He also added that additional support is provided to families in case of need. This can be a one-time or monthly social allowance for the low-income families. Parents raising twins or triplets are provided with free meals for children under 2 years old.
"State budget expenditures on social support of families with children annually amount to over 3% of GDP. This year alone, Br3.4 billion will be designated for the system of state benefits, of which Br1.8 billion will be spent on allowances for children under the age of 3," the deputy minister said.
He also added that today 380,000 children are covered by the system of state benefits. Of these, 207,000 are children under 3 for whom parents receive childcare allowances. Valery Kovalkov also noted that the amount of an allowance is significant. "From 1 May of this year, due to the increase in the subsistence budget, benefits have also increased. At the birth of the first child, a family receives Br4,200. The one-time allowance is almost Br6,000 for the second and subsequent children," he said.
The deputy minister noted that the allowance for children under the age of 3 exceeds the minimum wage. "A family receives Br725 for the first child and Br828, for the second and subsequent children. A family also receives allowances for children over 3 years old if it has a child under 3," Valery Kovalkov said.
He also added that additional support is provided to families in case of need. This can be a one-time or monthly social allowance for the low-income families. Parents raising twins or triplets are provided with free meals for children under 2 years old.
