The amount of government benefits for families with children increased by 4.9% in Belarus from 1 February. The increase was due to 4.9% increase of the living wage to the average per capita, which will be equal to Br296.87 thousand until April 30, 2011. This was reported at the headquarters of employment and population policy of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
According to the Council of Ministers’ Decree № 111 of January 31, 2011 the cost of living budget rose by 4.9% against Br283.5 thousand, available from November 1, 2010 to January 31, 2011. A new subsistence level for the working population is Br324.55 thousand, for pensioners — Br262.21 thousand, for students — Br316.7 thousand, for children aged 3 to 16 years — Br361.31 thousand, for children under 3 years — Br262.4 thousand, BelTA informs.
Due to the increase of subsistence level budget, monthly allowance for a child under 3 years old is Br296.87 thousand, above 3 years — Br89.6 thousand. Lump-sum benefits in connection with the birth of the first child will increase to Br1.484 million, the birth of the second and subsequent children — Br2.078 million. If a woman is registered in the state Health Organization up to 12 weeks of gestation, then she will get a lump-sum of $296.87 thousand. Also, the amount of social pensions and allowances to the pensions of certain categories of pensioners will increase since February.
