According to the Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Natalia Efremova, the previous practice of suspending monthly child benefits for an entire year due to absences has proven counterproductive. Analyses indicate that such a harsh measure, rather than motivating parents to encourage their children's attendance in preschool and school groups, carries the risk of causing them to drop out of the education system permanently. For this reason, the amendments provide for a significant relaxation of the sanction, with the suspension of payments applying only to the month in which the absences occurred.
This policy shift is part of a broader package of amendments to the Law on Family Allowances for Children, approved by the Council of Ministers. The main goal set by the ministry is to facilitate access to state support and avoid creating unnecessary burdens for parents in caring for their children. This information was presented by Minister Efremova during a briefing at the Council of Ministers.
An important part of the new provisions is the removal of the requirement to repay the one-time allowance for students in the first, second, third, fourth, and eighth grades if they have more than five unexcused absences. Previously, families were required to reimburse the amount in such cases, but according to Efremova, this requirement was excessive given the nature of the aid itself, which is granted for the entire school period.
The legislative changes also address the issue of access to benefits for foreign nationals. In the future, pregnant foreign women, as well as families of foreigners who have received protection under the Law on Asylum and Refugees, will be entitled to child benefits. Until now, these individuals did not have access to this type of support. The Minister clarified that the court has repeatedly overturned state refusals and ordered the payment of the funds, which is why it is necessary to bring the legal framework into compliance with these conditions.
In the context of the relaxed regime regarding absences, Natalia Efremova confirmed the change: "We have reduced the sanction, and monthly benefits will no longer be withheld for a whole year; they will only be withheld for one month – the month in which the respective absences occurred."