Family capital and benefits: How Belarus supports families with children
15.07.2026
MINSK (
BelTA) – The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection told BelTA how Belarus supports families with children.
“Belarus remains one of the few countries where paid parental leave can be taken until the child reaches the age of three. As of May 2026, the lump-sum allowance upon the birth of the first child amounts to Br5,096.20, and Br7,134.68 for the second and subsequent children. If a woman signs up for medical supervision within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, she is entitled to a one-time benefit equal to 100 % of the minimum subsistence budget (currently Br509.62),” the ministry noted.
Parents also receive a monthly childcare allowance even if they continue working. The allowance is Br1,000.86 for the first child and Br1,143.84 for the second and subsequent children. If a parent works part-time or works from home before the child reaches the age of three, the childcare allowance is retained in full. In the case of full-time employment, the allowance is paid at a rate of 50 %. Along with the allowance for a child under three, a benefit for older children (equal to 50 % of the minimum subsistence budget per family, or Br254.81) is paid throughout all three years.
A family is officially recognized as large if they have three or more children under the age of 18. Upon the birth of the third child, the family officially receives this status, along with additional housing, tax, and social benefits. If a third or subsequent child is born or adopted into the family, the state deposits a lump sum into a special account under the family capital program, which currently amounts to Br35,055. These funds can be allocated via bank transfer towards housing, education, medical care, or the purchase of rehabilitation equipment. Families with multiple children are also eligible for state support for building or purchasing housing, including subsidies, low-interest loans, and debt repayment assistance.
The ministry added that separate payments are also available for children with disabilities and families facing special circumstances. The increased monthly allowance for the care of a child with a disability under the age of three amounts to Br1,286.82. For children over three, it is Br356.73 for a child with special needs and Br254.81 for those without disabilities. An additional allowance for the care of a disabled child under 18 ranges from Br509.62 to Br611.54. The social pension for a child with a disability runs from Br407.70 to Br560.58, based on their health level. Furthermore, a social allowance helps cover hygiene products for children with level 4 health loss.
“Allowances and social pensions are regularly indexed. Payments are pegged to the minimum subsistence budget and are reviewed several times a year. For instance, in 2026, the amounts were increased in February and May. The subsequent reviews of payments are scheduled for August and November. The support system is not frozen: new amendments were adopted in 2025, which increased the minimum amounts of maternity leave benefits, temporary disability allowances, and childcare benefits, while also strengthening support for families raising children with disabilities,” the ministry concluded.
“Belarus remains one of the few countries where paid parental leave can be taken until the child reaches the age of three. As of May 2026, the lump-sum allowance upon the birth of the first child amounts to Br5,096.20, and Br7,134.68 for the second and subsequent children. If a woman signs up for medical supervision within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, she is entitled to a one-time benefit equal to 100 % of the minimum subsistence budget (currently Br509.62),” the ministry noted.
Parents also receive a monthly childcare allowance even if they continue working. The allowance is Br1,000.86 for the first child and Br1,143.84 for the second and subsequent children. If a parent works part-time or works from home before the child reaches the age of three, the childcare allowance is retained in full. In the case of full-time employment, the allowance is paid at a rate of 50 %. Along with the allowance for a child under three, a benefit for older children (equal to 50 % of the minimum subsistence budget per family, or Br254.81) is paid throughout all three years.
A family is officially recognized as large if they have three or more children under the age of 18. Upon the birth of the third child, the family officially receives this status, along with additional housing, tax, and social benefits. If a third or subsequent child is born or adopted into the family, the state deposits a lump sum into a special account under the family capital program, which currently amounts to Br35,055. These funds can be allocated via bank transfer towards housing, education, medical care, or the purchase of rehabilitation equipment. Families with multiple children are also eligible for state support for building or purchasing housing, including subsidies, low-interest loans, and debt repayment assistance.
The ministry added that separate payments are also available for children with disabilities and families facing special circumstances. The increased monthly allowance for the care of a child with a disability under the age of three amounts to Br1,286.82. For children over three, it is Br356.73 for a child with special needs and Br254.81 for those without disabilities. An additional allowance for the care of a disabled child under 18 ranges from Br509.62 to Br611.54. The social pension for a child with a disability runs from Br407.70 to Br560.58, based on their health level. Furthermore, a social allowance helps cover hygiene products for children with level 4 health loss.
“Allowances and social pensions are regularly indexed. Payments are pegged to the minimum subsistence budget and are reviewed several times a year. For instance, in 2026, the amounts were increased in February and May. The subsequent reviews of payments are scheduled for August and November. The support system is not frozen: new amendments were adopted in 2025, which increased the minimum amounts of maternity leave benefits, temporary disability allowances, and childcare benefits, while also strengthening support for families raising children with disabilities,” the ministry concluded.