Poor family: the main signs and types of assistance

A low-income family is a family whose total income is one person below the subsistence minimum that is established in this subject of the Russian Federation. It should be noted that there is no firm definition of this social institution. At the same time, focusing on the Family Code, as well as on various federal and regional legal acts, one can come to the conclusion that the main criterion by which a low-income family is determined is the amount of income, and not the number of its members.

It is worth paying special attention to the fact that a poor family should be the family, that is, those who belong to it should live together and lead a common economy. At the same time, the lack of state registration is also an insurmountable obstacle, because of which cohabiting spouses can not receive social support.

Among other things, the status of a "poor family" can only be obtained from those cells in society whose material difficulties were not provoked by their way of life. Thus, if able-bodied parents abuse alcohol or drugs, and do not do anything to find a job, then this family can be forgotten about social benefits.

The most important sign by which a low-income family is determined is the amount of income per member. In this income, in accordance with the resolution of the Government, includes both wages and other sources - all kinds of benefits, rent, dividends from shares, income from renting out premises. All these amounts add up and are divided by the number of family members. If the figure obtained is less than that determined by the leadership of the region, then the family will have the right to become poor.

At present, Russia provides comprehensive assistance to low-income families. It is expressed both in various monetary payments, both from the federal and regional budgets, and in the help of products, clothing, fuel, and medicines. In addition, each poor family can expect to receive special subsidies intended to reimburse part of the funds spent on housing or housing services. A very significant type of assistance is tax benefits, which relate to the payment of personal income tax.

Great importance in the provision of assistance to low-income families is played by the position that the leadership of this or that subject of the Russian Federation occupies. So, in a number of subjects, special programs are provided for the allocation of housing to such families, for the retraining of parents for more popular specialties, for free legal advice.

In general, it should be recognized that the last twenty years of the country's development have led to the fact that the number of low-income families in Russia has increased dramatically. Particularly distressing is the fact that such a status is given to the cells of society, which were considered quite prosperous quite recently. Leading experts and specialists emphasize that it is impossible to solve this problem by means of payments and payments alone. A well-thought-out state policy is needed, which will enable every person to work and earn a decent salary.