New rules for Unified Benefit in Arkhangelsk Oblast in 2026
For residents of Arkhangelsk Oblast, the rules for receiving the Unified Benefit have changed. From January 1, its amount has been indexed, and some conditions for its assignment have changed. Details were provided by the Social Fund of Russia (SFR) branch for Arkhangelsk Oblast and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
The Unified Benefit is a targeted support measure for families with low incomes, whose per capita income does not exceed the subsistence minimum in the region.
Changes regarding family income
Now, for the assignment of the unified benefit, the minimum income of each able-bodied family member over 12 months of the calculation period must be at least 8 minimum wages (MW), which amounts to 216,744 rubles (at current rates, approximately $2,400) (MW from January 1, 2026 — 27,093 rubles, approximately $301).
When determining the required minimum income, in addition to wages, income from entrepreneurial activity, self-employment, the SFR branch for Arkhangelsk Oblast and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug also considers temporary disability benefits. Income is assessed separately for each family member.
As before, the unified benefit can be assigned even with zero income, if there were valid reasons for its absence during 10 months of the calculation period. It is important to understand that the requirement to have an income of at least 8 MW does not apply or this limit can be reduced in the presence of valid reasons for the absence of income.
From January 1, 2026, valid reasons for having income less than 8 MW have been added — receiving old-age pensions, survivor pensions, and disability pensions. The full list of grounds can be found on the SFR website.
Moreover, from this year, one-time material payments from employers to their employees upon the birth or adoption of a child are not counted as family income.
How alimony is calculated
Important changes will also affect the rules for accounting for alimony. So, from March 1, 2026, if the applicant is divorced, and there is no court decision or court order for alimony payment, then when calculating income for assigning the unified benefit, alimony will be considered in the following amounts:
¼ of the average monthly nominal accrued salary in the region — for one child;
⅓ of the average monthly nominal accrued salary in the region — for two children;
½ of the average monthly nominal accrued salary in the region — for three or more children.
This value is established by Rosstat (Federal State Statistics Service) based on the results of the year: in 2026 — for 2025. If it is not established by March 1, for alimony, the previous year — 2024 is considered.
If alimony is established by the court, then, as now, the SFR branch for Arkhangelsk Oblast and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug counts the actual transferred amounts, indicated by the parent in the application for assigning the unified benefit, as family income.
Consultation with specialists of the SFR branch for Arkhangelsk Oblast and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug can be obtained by calling the unified contact center at 8-800-100-00-01.
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