The Social Fund of Russia observing high interest from self-employed individuals to the new social welfare mechanism. In total, over the first four days since the applications for voluntary insurance against temporary disability opened for submission, more than a thousand professional income tax payers have joined the system.
According to the Fund's operational data, 1,121 applications have been submitted to date by self-employed individuals wishing to qualify for paid sick leave. All applications were received digitally through the My Tax mobile app, evidencing that the demand for digital services is high and the procedure is simple.
"Such a rapid response to the new social welfare tool shows a conscious approach by the self-employed to planning their future. After just six months of regular contribution payments, the first participants of the experiment will gain a full sick leave entitlement, which will be paid out based on their chosen insurance coverage," said Sergey Chirkov, Chairman of the Social Fund of Russia.
Remember that an experiment on voluntary insurance for self-employed individuals started in Russia in 2026. By taking part in it, those who work for themselves get entitlement to payouts under temporary disability certificates, just as hired employees do. For that purpose, you have to register with the Social Fund, choose the insured amount (RUB 35,000 or RUB 50,000 per year), and begin paying insurance contributions.
To qualify for sick leave payments, contributions shall be paid either monthly or as a lump sum for the entire year. The contribution rate is 3.84% of the chosen annual insured amount. A required monthly contribution would be, therefore, RUB 1,344 or RUB 1,920 (3.84% of RUB 35,000 or RUB 50,000, respectively). If paid annually, the contribution stands at RUB 16,128 or RUB 23,040 (the total of monthly contributions for 12 months).
A self-employed individual will be able to receive sick leave benefits six months after making an annual contribution or following continuous payment of monthly contributions. The sick leave benefit amount will depend on their work duration and the contribution payment period.
The Social Fund will notify the self-employed individual once their entitlement to sick leave payments arises. Benefit notices will also be sent right after closing sick leave certificates.
An application to join the program can be submitted through the Gosuslugi Portal in addition to the My Tax app, as well as in person at the Social Fund's client offices.
Please note that to ensure Russians have the opportunity to apply for services during the winter break, a portion of the Fund's client offices will provide services on a shortened schedule on January 5. Lists of the client offices that will be open can be found on the webpages of relevant local offices on the Social Fund website or in their official social media groups.
Please note that all services the Social Fund provides are free of charge, regardless where you get them: at client offices, Multifunctional Centers, or online via the Gosuslugi Portal