The new Russian regions are setting up special commissions on social benefits and pensions, said  lawmaker Svetlana Bessarab who represents the Russian parliament Committee on Labor, Social Policy and Veterans’ Affairs.   “Even now, 22,000 children enjoy support from the Russian Federation,” Bessarab said.  “Authorities have issued 1,000 maternity capital certificates, and pensions will increase to Russia’s average from March 1. If recipients have no documents except ID, Commissions will help assess the length of employment and calculate the pension.”   Temporary incapacity allowance and maternity benefits based on Russian norms are becoming available in the new regions, she added.   “War veterans are entitled to monthly allowances starting March 1. All regional allowances granted by the Donbass Republics will continue to be paid for a period of one year. Disability, industrial accident or occupational disease compensations will increase several-fold, Bessarab said.   On February 7, the Russian parliament approved the 1st reading on the law on the specifics of pensions and social benefits in the new regions.   Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said that pensions in the Lugansk People’s Republic and the other new regions would be granted according to Russian regulations beginning from March 1.   The Lugansk People’s Republic, Donetsk People’s Republic and Zaporozhye and Kherson regions acceded to Russia on September 30, 2022 following the unification referenda.  *i*ie