Russia: social security benefits to be available in cash or in kind
Beneficiaries have until 1 October to decide how they would like to receive their social security benefits
09.09.2025
Article published on the asi.org.ru website
The Russian Social Fund (RSF) has announced that citizens, who are entitled to federal benefits and social support, have until the end of September to choose how they’d like to receive a range of social services, i.e. in kind or in cash.
Benefits in kind include medication and medical equipment, sanitorium vouchers and free travel on suburban trains and intercity transport to and from their place of treatment. If a person does not need these services or doesn’t want to use them, then they can opt out in favour of cash compensation.
In choosing in kind or cash benefits, citizens will need to submit an application via the Gosuslugi website, the RSF customer service centre, or at a multifunctional centre.
“People will also be able to specify an alternative way of receiving their benefits package. For example, they can retain their right to a sanitorium voucher and travel there and back, but turn down medication, which will be compensated monthly”, said the RSF.
The choice of either in kind or cash benefits will be introduced from next year and will remain in effect until such time as a person submits a new application.
A new application is not required if one has already been submitted.
