1 November, Minsk /Elena Prus - BELTA/. A new subsistence minimum budget has been approved in Belarus, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian government. Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 974 of October 26 of the current year approved the subsistence minimum budget on average per capita and by major socio-demographic groups in September 2012 prices, calculated for one month. The period of validity of these social standards is from November 1, 2012 to January 31, 2013. The subsistence minimum budget on average per capita from November is Br880 thousand 30. The new SMM is 4.3% higher than the standard that was in effect from August 1 to October 31 of the current year (Br843 thousand 870). For the working-age population, the SMM is set at Br963 thousand 130, for pensioners - Br727 thousand 250, for children under 3 years of age - Br749 thousand 950, for children aged 3 to 6 years - Br916 thousand 310, for children aged 6 to 18 years - Br994 thousand 850, for student children - Br884 thousand 100. Since the new SMM has increased by 4.3%, the amounts of state benefits for families raising children have accordingly increased by the same amount from November. The amounts of minimum labor and social pensions, as well as allowances and increases established for pensions of certain categories of pensioners, have increased. The structure of the subsistence minimum budget on average per capita in September 2012 prices by expenditure items is as follows: food products - 58%, rent and utility payments - 7.6%, clothing items - 20.5%, household and utility goods - 4.6%, essential items, hygiene and medicines - 2.5%, household and transport services - 4.9%, contributions and payments - 1.8%. 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 analyzing and forecasting the living standards of the population, providing state social assistance to low-income citizens (families), and justifying minimum state social and labor guarantees. The SMM is a cost value of the minimum set of material goods and services necessary to ensure human vital activity and maintain health, as well as mandatory payments and contributions.