Number of large families in Nizhny Novgorod region grows

The Nizhny Novgorod region has recently discussed the implementation of initiatives of the President of the Russian Federation to support large families. As Social Policy Minister Olga Noskova noted at the round table meeting, the financing of these activities in the region accounts for about one tenth of all expenditures of the consolidated budget of the region. 

"As for positive trends of recent years - I'd point out the growth of the number of large families. In the beginning of May, there were 14,844 such families in the region. The birth rate grows by seven to eight percent a year," said the Minister.

Active social support is provided to substitute families as well. Foster families may be eligible for a monthly allowance. In the Nizhny Novgorod region, the allowance makes up from 5,963 to 7,454 rubles ($200-250) depending on the age of the child.

"Also, foster families receive remuneration every month - 7,298 rubles. For children older than three years, as well as for the maintenance of children under three years of age and disabled children - 10,947 rubles. The federal law provides for a lump sum of 13,087 rubles when sending a child to a foster family (in 2012, the lump sum was paid to 1,311 people). Moreover, orphans and children left without parental care, receive 100-percent compensations for housing and communal services," Olga Noskova said.

During the round table discussion, several other important issues were discussed: the provision of land to large families and prospects of a new program that would help families with more than three children improve their living conditions.

The governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region Valery Shantsev previously said that the social support system included 86 types of benefits, including 67 regional ones. Their number, in comparison with 2005, has doubled, whereas funding has quadruped.

"In 2012, 29 types of payments were indexed (from 1 January 2012 - by 1,075). The payment to cover transportation costs for schoolchildren from large families and adoptive families raising three or more children was raised 2.4 times (to 500 rubles), - stressed Governor Valery Shantsev. - New payments were introduced. It goes about monthly compensations for baby food and allowance for disabled children for single mothers and from large families. Payments from the regional maternity capital were started in March 2013 began paying, 25,000 rubles, in connection with the birth of a second and subsequent children. Third child monthly payments were launched in January 2013.