New benefits for Russians with disabilities explained
New benefits and comprehensive rehabilitation: Changes promised by the Ministry of Labour
For whom are the new benefits intended and what will the rehabilitation developments change for those with disabilities?
28.05.2021
Pregnancy support
A new payment will be made available for low-income pregnant women who have been registered with a medical organisation at an early date (up to 12 weeks). They will receive an average of 6350 roubles per month. The woman’s income cannot be more than one living wage in order to receive the benefit.
Olga Batalina, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection, spoke about the changes at a meeting on 28 May. She gave an explanation as to why the specified period is 12 weeks:
“The first trimester, from the point of view of maintaining a health pregnancy, is critical. The first period of perinatal checks and scans takes place between 12 and 14 weeks. And in order for a woman to receive these checks on time, the medical organisation must know about the pregnancy before 12 weeks,” said the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection.
It is expected that in 2021 around 230,000 women will receive the payment, in 2022 up to 440,000 and in 2023 around 420,000.
“We hope that this payment will allow some women who have abortions due to socio-economic reasons to keep their children. They can be sure that they will have stable financial support for the duration of her pregnancy,” Olga Batalina emphasised.
Child benefits
A monthly payment is being introduced for children aged 8 to 17 being brought up by a single parent, or living in a family where the parent is legally eligible for child support. The parents’ income must not exceed one living wage.
Batalina also explained that the law lists several conditions under which a parent can be considered a ‘single parent’: where a second parent is not listed on the birth certificate, when the father is recorded and signed solely by the mother, when one parent is dead or declared missing.
The average payment for a child in Russia is 6310 roubles per month. It is estimated that around 1.2 million people will receive this new benefit.
In order to receive the new pregnancy or child benefit, an individual must submit an electronic application through the portal of public services, or a paper application to the necessary branch of the Pension Fund.
The draft resolution of these two payments is currently undergoing public discussion. You can apply for both payments and begin receiving them from 1 July.
Olga Batalina also added that from 1 September, the amount of temporary disability benefit for carers of sick children below the age for 7 will be increased.
School payments
By the beginning of the school year, parents or legal guardians of school-aged children will be eligible for a one-time payment. The child must be 6 years old no later than 1 September. The value of the payment is 10,000 roubles. It is planned to make the payment available from mid-July to 1 November.
Rehabilitation for disabled individuals
Dmitry Ligomin, Director of the Department for Disabled Persons, said that as of 1 January, 2021, 63 regions have approved regional programmes and plans for the development of a more comprehensive rehabilitation system.
The draft concept for the development of a system of rehabilitation for disabled individuals has been published on the website for the Ministry for Labour.
“There are many angles to focus on: developing skills for living independently, increasing commitment and motivation for rehabilitation, providing opportunities for creativity and self-realisation and preparing certain individuals for work.
The intended final result is always to see that a person can live independently, have opportunities to interact socially and make friends, get an education and find a job,” says Ligomin.
According to the draft, by 2026 at least 80% of adults and children with disabilities should receive the services they need in this area, provided to them by individual rehabilitation programmes. Technologies for accompanied co-living for people with disabilities should be applied and available in at least 70% of regions.
