The Social Protection Fund explained the new procedure for paying sick leave for sole proprietors, lawyers and notaries

The changes were introduced by the resolution of the Council of Ministers dated December 20, 2025 and relate primarily to individual entrepreneurs, lawyers and notaries. It is these categories of individuals who, in addition to pension contributions, pay social insurance contributions in the amount of six percent.

The main innovation is that all sole proprietors, lawyers and notaries who paid contributions in the previous year are now eligible for temporary disability benefits. Elena Loseva explained that previously the conditions were much tougher: to receive payments, it was required to work for at least one hundred and eighty-three calendar days, and contributions had to be paid based on the minimum wage.

The representative of the Fund explained in detail the mechanism for calculating the average daily income, which directly affects the amount of future benefits. If the entrepreneur was registered for the entire previous year, the amount of income from which the contributions were paid is taken and divided by the number of calendar days of this year. For example, if disability occurs in 2026, the entire income for 2025, divided by 365 days, will be calculated. If registration as an individual entrepreneur, lawyer or notary did not take place from the beginning of the year, then the period from the date of registration to December 31 is taken into account, and the amount of income is divided by the number of calendar days of this period.

The amount of the benefit itself, as well as that of employees, now depends on the duration of payment of contributions. Elena Loseva clarified that the period is taken from January 1, 2003 to the quarter preceding the one in which the insured event occurred. Those who have this experience of ten years or more are entitled to one hundred percent sick leave from the first day. If the length of service is less than ten years, the benefit will be calculated based on eighty percent of the average daily income.

However, there is an important exception to this rule. The head of the department stressed that maternity benefits, as well as payments for caring for a sick child, are not affected by the timing of contributions. In such cases, the benefit is always assigned in the amount of one hundred percent from the first day of disability, regardless of length of service.

To receive payments to entrepreneurs, lawyers and notaries, it is necessary to contact the territorial body of the Foundation at the place of registration. You must have a disability certificate with you. The specialist paid special attention to the deadline for submitting documents: you should apply for temporary disability benefits no later than six months from the day following the day of the end of the illness. For maternity benefits, the six-month period starts from the date of occurrence of the insured event. If you are late, payments will be scheduled and will not be made.

The benefit itself must be assigned within ten calendar days from the date of application. In some cases, when additional verification is required, this period may be extended up to one month. Elena Loseva also explained the mechanism of financial calculations: benefits are offset against future insurance premiums, that is, the amount of payments received to entrepreneurs will subsequently be charged lower mandatory payments.

In addition, there is a mechanism for direct financing in special situations. If a woman goes on maternity leave and does not plan to continue her activities, or if an employee is faced with a long-term illness that may lead to disability, you can apply to the Fund with an application and a disability certificate. In this case, the specialists will calculate the allowance on their own and transfer the money to the individual's checking account.