The subsistence minimum in Belarus has been increased by 15.6% to Br343,260 from May 1.

May 4, Minsk /BELTA/. A new subsistence minimum budget has been approved in Belarus, BELTA was informed by the government's press service. Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 553 of April 28 of the current year approved the subsistence minimum budget on average per capita and by major socio-demographic groups in March prices of the current year, calculated for one month. The period of validity of these social standards is from May 1 to July 31, 2011. Thus, the subsistence minimum budget on average per capita from May is Br343,260. For the working-age population, the SMM is set at Br373,260, for pensioners - Br294,210, for children under 3 years of age - Br289,430, for children aged 3 to 6 years - Br366,220, for children aged 6 to 18 years - Br377,730, for student children - Br342,370. The new SMM increased by 15.6% compared to the standard that was in effect from February 1 to April 30, 2011 (it was Br296,870). Accordingly, from May, the amounts of state benefits for families raising children will increase by 15.6%. The amounts of social pensions, as well as increases and supplements established for pensions of certain categories of pensioners, will be increased. The structure of the subsistence minimum budget on average per capita in March 2011 prices by expenditure items is as follows: food products - 57%, rent and utility payments - 14.6%, clothing items - 16.4%, household and transport services - 5.6%; household goods - 3.9%; contributions and payments - 0.8%; essential items, hygiene and medicines - 1.8%. The subsistence minimum budget is approved quarterly by the government in 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 standard of living of the population, providing state social assistance to low-income citizens (families), and justifying minimum state social and labor 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. The subsistence minimum budget for the working-age population is used to determine the amount of deductions from employers who have arrears in wage payments, and the basic maximum rate for the first category for commercial organizations of state ownership and with state share in their property.-0-