Since 2024, mothers and fathers are still eligible for the allowance if they return from parental leave to work part-time. Thanks to that, around 400,000 parents continued to receive payments after returning to work.
A decision made in 2024 provides that a mother or a father can care for a child while also returning to work remotely. That is a good, useful provision. We are addressing the demographic challenge by allowing a mother or a father to work part-time. According to our statistics, nearly 400,000 people have taken advantage of this benefit since 2024," said Sergey Chirkov, Chairman of the Social Fund of Russia, in an interview with RBC.
During the first 18 months of a child's life, the mother or father on maternity leave receives a monthly allowance. its amount depends on the parent's average earnings. This year, it ranges from RUB 10,800 to RUB 83,000/month. If a family has two or more children, the Social Fund pays allowance on each of them.
Parents do not lose their allowance if they return to work early. The rule also applies to part-time work, working from home, or remote employment. The allowance is also preserved for those who work for another employer while on a parental leave.
Under the current rules, not only a mother or a father can apply for the allowance: it can also be another relative or legal guardian who is on a parental leave. If multiple people are looking after the child simultaneously, the right to the allowance is granted to only one of them.