Will Russians Expect Payments on Children's Day on June 1st: Experts Give an Answer

The closer June 1 – International Children's Day – the more talk there is in society about "children's" social benefits timed to coincide with this date. Many families with children really expect financial support from the state timed to coincide with this date. Let's say right away: no official payments, at least from the federal budget, are provided for these purposes. But there are reasons for talking about such benefits, and quite serious ones.

Initiatives to organize one-time payments for Children's Day periodically arise both in society and in the corridors of power. You don't have to look far for examples. Exactly one year ago, a bill was introduced to the State Duma on an annual payment for each Russian child under 16. The size of the benefit was to be 20% of the subsistence minimum. And the law itself, as expected, will work from this year, 2025.

The average subsistence minimum in Russia last year was approximately 15.5 thousand rubles, this year – 17.7 thousand rubles. Accordingly, each child could receive 3 – 3.5 thousand rubles. And according to official statistics, there are 27.5 million children under 16 in our country (almost 19% of the entire population). Of course, the total amount for the federal budget, especially one with a deficit, as we have now, turned out to be completely unaffordable. This is probably why the bill was rejected after consideration in the first reading.

"Gifts" for the holiday

However, although not all, some families with children will find themselves with monetary “gifts” on June 1.

First of all, starting from this date, a number of families will have the opportunity to increase the amount of the single benefit they receive. This can be done by people who need to re-register the payment assigned last year in June.

Let us recall that a single benefit is provided to families with children under 17 years of age and to pregnant women with a term of six weeks or more. In addition, this payment is provided to adoptive parents and guardians.

The main indicator on the basis of which the single benefit is assigned is the average per capita family income. It should not be higher than the regional subsistence minimum per capita, which is in effect on the date of application for the benefit. The period for which the benefit is assigned is one year. Then the possibility of receiving it is extended annually by submitting an application.

The benefit amount for a specific recipient may be equal to 50%, 75% or 100% of the minimum subsistence level specified above. Accordingly, if a family's income decreased during 2024, and at the same time they were paid an amount equal to 50% of the minimum subsistence level for their child, then this year the benefit amount may increase to 75% or 100%.

It is important to take into account other rules for receiving a single benefit. Thus, if another child is born in a family in June, and the family is already receiving this payment, then the single benefit for the newborn will be assigned in a proactive (non-declaration) mode in an amount equal to the payment for older children.

In addition, from June 1, some regions will begin to implement social support measures for families with children - although not all, but selected ones. Thus, in the Samara Region, a decision was made to make a cash payment of 1,500 rubles, timed to coincide with Children's Day. The following categories of citizens permanently residing in the region are entitled to receive it: one of the parents of the family raising four or more minor children; a father raising three or more minor children without a mother; a single mother raising two or more minor children.

In the Sverdlovsk region, from June 1, families with children in which both parents are studying full-time at a university or professional educational organization in the region will be paid compensation for the costs of renting housing during their studies. The amount of the payment is equal to the actual expenses incurred, but cannot exceed 15,000 rubles per month. Another condition is that at least one child in such a family must be born after 01.01.2025.

Women aged 23 years and under who gave birth to their first child from 01.01.2025, who hold Russian citizenship and permanently reside in the region, will be able to receive funds to purchase essential goods for children in the amount of 50,000 rubles.

And in the Belgorod region, families with many children have the right to receive compensation for expenses on purchasing school and sports uniforms according to the standards established by regional authorities. Compensation is provided on an annual basis in the amount of 10,000 rubles for each student.

A fairy tale come true

And yet, returning to the main question, should some one-time payments for children, timed to coincide with June 1, be introduced in our country? And if so, should they apply to everyone without exception or be directed only at some selected categories? MK addressed these questions to experts.

"A mass payment to all children throughout Russia today looks like a missed opportunity after the collapse of the USSR," says economist Andrey Loboda, a top manager in the field of financial communications. He believes that this "fairy tale in reality" should be restored starting from certain Russian regions where the outflow of population is most clearly observed. The expert includes, in particular, the cities of the north of the Irkutsk Region, the Amur Region and the Zabaikalsky Krai. "Each child living there should be given at least 10 thousand rubles: a relatively comfortable and solid amount for municipal and regional budgets," says Loboda. At the same time, according to him, one should not forget about non-material support - providing free access to clubs, sports sections, prestigious schools.

Another social expert, Ivan Burakas, a famous athlete and public figure, winner of international and all-Russian boxing championships, and two-time laureate of the Moscow Region Governor's Prize, shares a similar point of view. "It is quite possible that not all regional budgets can afford an unscheduled payment of approximately 3,000 rubles per child," says the expert. "This is a relatively small amount of money, but for many families it really won't be unnecessary. The most effective support today seems to be for large families and children whose parents served or continue to serve their country in the North Military District."

Ivan Burakas adds that targeted support for certain categories of the population has proven successful in Russia. But it is important to pay significant attention to the growth of the quality of human capital of children. "Their development in the field of science and sports is a window to the world, which, in my opinion, should be opened as widely as possible for children in Russia. This means free access to quality education, including preschool, and, of course, sports for Russian children should be as free as possible," the expert asserts.