Over 300 residents of Kamchatka transferred maternity funds to their offspring
In Russia, the Maternity Capital program offers a significant financial support for families with children. These funds can be used for various educational and accommodation-related expenses, as stated by Tatiana Skumatova, head of the Kamchatka Branch of the Social Insurance Fund.
Eligible Expenses
The Maternity Capital funds can be utilized for a variety of educational expenses, including tuition fees for preschool, school, college, or university education, as well as associated educational services. Additionally, funds can be applied towards dormitory (student housing) accommodation costs, covering the expense of living in dormitories when the child is studying away from home.
Required Documents
To use Maternity Capital funds for accommodation, a lease agreement for the dormitory room and a certificate from the organization confirming the student's residence are required. Before signing the contract for paid services, it is recommended to check if the institution has a license for educational activities. Along with the application, a document confirming the identity of the certificate owner and a contract for paid services or its certified copy are needed.
Streamlined Access
Access to Maternity Capital funds has been streamlined via a digital platform, making the process simpler and faster for families. The application processing time has been shortened from 10 to 5 business days, and further document requests from 20 to 12 days, to expedite fund use for the child’s benefit.
Appropriate Use
It is crucial to note that Maternity Capital funds cannot be withdrawn as cash; they are allocated exclusively for purposes improving the child's living conditions, education, or family housing. Restrictions exist to ensure that the funds are used appropriately: they must be directed toward formal education, approved dormitory accommodation, or related services, and not for unrelated expenses or general household costs.
Legal Considerations
When purchasing housing or using funds for housing related to education (like dormitories), the child must be allocated a share of the property according to Russian law. This legal requirement protects the child’s ownership rights but complicates future real estate transactions, as parental sale of the property must obtain official permission confirming that the child's living conditions improve afterward.
Available Services
Maternity capital funds can be used for a wide range of services, including kindergarten or preschool programs immediately after the birth of a child, online school courses, driving school, creative or sports activities, services of individual entrepreneurs or agencies for education and childcare.
Amount and Indexing
The maternity capital amount is indexed yearly, currently amounting to roughly 690,000 rubles for the first child and over 900,000 rubles for the second and subsequent children, providing a substantial fund for education and housing support.
For any further questions, a free consultation can be obtained from the single contact center at 8 (800) 100-00-01. It is recommended to consult the rules and regulations of the Maternity Capital program before making any decisions regarding the use of these funds.
- To supplement the educational expenses of their child, families in Russia can use Maternity Capital funds for tuition fees, dormitory costs, and associated educational services, as long as they provide the necessary documents like lease agreements and certificates.
- The Maternity Capital funds in Russia can be utilized for a diverse array of services such as kindergarten programs, online school courses, driving school, creative or sports activities, services of individual entrepreneurs or agencies for education and childcare, but they cannot be withdrawn as cash and must be directed towards improving the child's living conditions, education, or family housing.
