The subsistence minimum budget in Belarus has been increased by 29.9% to Br574,790.

1 November, Minsk /Elena Prus - BELTA/. A new subsistence minimum budget has been approved in Belarus, BELTA was informed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 1450 of 28 October of the current year approved the subsistence minimum budget on average per capita and by main socio-demographic groups in September prices of the current year, calculated for one month. The period of validity of these social standards is from 1 November 2011 to 31 January 2012.

The subsistence minimum budget on average per capita from November is Br574,790. The new SMM has increased by 29.9% compared to the standard that was in effect from 1 August to 31 October (Br442,360).

For the working-age population, the SMM is set at Br621,830, for pensioners - Br463,570, for children under 3 years of age - Br451,400, for children aged 3 to 6 years - Br564,540, for children aged 6 to 18 years - Br619,600, for student children - Br541,730.

Since the new SMM has increased by 29.9%, accordingly, from November, the amounts of state benefits for families raising children will increase by 29.9%. The amounts of social pensions, as well as allowances and increases established for pensions of certain categories of pensioners, have been increased.

The structure of the subsistence minimum budget on average per capita in September 2011 prices by expenditure items is as follows: food products - 58.4%, rent and utility payments - 9%, clothing items - 17.1%, household goods and supplies - 4.5%, essential items, sanitation and medicines - 2.3%, household and transport services - 4.6%, contributions and payments - 4.1%.

The subsistence minimum budget is approved quarterly by the government in the prices of the last month of each quarter. In accordance with the Law "On the Subsistence Minimum in the Republic of Belarus", the SMM is intended for analysing and forecasting the living standards of the population, providing state social assistance to low-income citizens (families), and substantiating minimum state social and labour guarantees. The SMM is a monetary value of a minimum set of material goods and services necessary to ensure human life and maintain health, as well as mandatory payments and contributions.