Indexation of social benefits in February 2026: who will be increased and by how much

In February 2026, Russia will host the planned annual indexation of social benefits. The increase will affect a wide range of recipients — families with children, pensioners, the disabled, veterans, the unemployed and other beneficiaries. Indexing will be carried out automatically, without the need to submit applications. Which payments will increase, by how much and on what their final amount will depend — in the Izvestia material.

Indexing of social benefits: what will change from February 1st

As State Duma deputy from the Liberal Democratic Party, Deputy Chairman of the Budget and Taxes Committee Kaplan Panes told Izvestia, the main indexation coefficient from February 1, 2026 will be 6.8%. This indicator corresponds to the actual inflation rate for 2025, the parliamentarian said.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Pavel Volkov

— Starting from February 1, 2026, Russia will host a planned annual indexation of key social benefits. The main indexation coefficient will be 6.8%, which corresponds to the actual inflation over the past year. It is important to emphasize that the increase will happen automatically, recipients do not need to submit additional applications," the deputy noted.

According to him, indexation traditionally begins with payments to families with children.

Single benefit from January 1, 2026: new accrual rules and payment amounts

Starting in 2026, sick leave and maternity payments will be counted as labor income.

Payments to families with children: maternity capital and benefits

Starting from February 1, the amount of maternity capital will be increased. The increase will affect both new certificates and unused balances.

— The amount of maternity capital will be increased. The amount for the first child will be 737,205 rubles, and for the second — 974,189 rubles, which brings this payment closer to the million mark for the first time," Panesh said.

In addition, the one-time allowance for the birth of a child will increase. After the increase, its amount will increase from 26,941 to 28,773 rubles. The indexation will also affect the monthly child care allowance for mothers who were laid off during pregnancy due to the liquidation of the organization — its amount will increase to 10,790 rubles.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Andrey Erstrem

Payments are also provided for working parents.

— For working parents, the maximum amount of child care allowance can reach 83,021 rubles, and the maximum maternity allowance is 955,836 rubles, — said the deputy.

In addition, starting from February 1, payments for a single allowance for families with children and pregnant women will be recalculated. Their size depends on the regional subsistence level, which has been raised since January 1, 2026.

EDV and a set of social services: an increase for beneficiaries

Recipients of monthly cash payments expect a significant increase. This support measure applies to a wide range of privileged categories.

— This support measure applies to disabled people of all groups, combat veterans, participants of the Great Patriotic War, citizens affected by radiation, and other categories. For them, the EDV will also increase by 6.8%," Panes explained.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Sergey Lantyukhov

At the same time, the cost of a set of social services will be indexed, which includes the provision of medicines, sanatorium treatment and travel.

Unemployment benefits and burial payments

Another payment, which will be adjusted from February 1, 2026, will be unemployment benefits.

— The maximum amount of the allowance for the first three months will be 15,916 rubles, and the minimum allowance will increase to 1,884 rubles, — said the deputy.

In addition, the social allowance for burial will increase. In 2026, it will amount to 9,788 rubles.

What determines the total amount of payments?

As Kaplan Panes emphasized, despite the uniform indexation coefficient, the actual amount of payments for a particular person or family may vary.

"For child benefits, such as a single benefit, the final amount is directly related to the family's income level and the regional subsistence level," he said.

For retirees who continue to work, the number of pension points generated over the previous year will be an important factor. For non-working pensioners with low incomes, the key indicator remains the living wage of a pensioner in the region of residence.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Pavel Volkov

"If the total amount of all payments does not reach this minimum, which in 2026 is an average of 16,288 rubles in Russia, then a social supplement is made," the deputy explained.

Panesh drew special attention to the changes in the administration of social surcharges.

"Starting in 2026, both federal and regional social pension supplements will be established and paid through branches of the Social Fund of Russia according to a single standard, which simplifies the procedure for recipients," he said.

Additional payments to pensions for children and dependents in 2026: conditions and amounts of payments

Additional payments for children, disability and medical experience will allow to increase the pension in 2026

What increases are expected during 2026

The February indexation will not be the only change in the social sphere in 2026. According to the MP, further recalculations have already been planned.

— Indexation of social pensions is expected from April 1. Also, during the year, recalculations will be held for certain categories, for example, for women who have raised five or more children, who will be able to include periods of care for all children without restrictions," Kaplan Panes recalled.