The Social Fund has transferred the first monthly cash payments (MCP) to residents of the new constituent entities, issued in accordance with Russian legislation. In the first weeks following the entry into force of laws integrating the new regions into the Russian social security system, payments were assigned to nearly 12,000 citizens from the newly incorporated territories.
Under current regulations, MCP is provided to persons with disabilities, veterans of the Great Patriotic War and combat operations, their families, and certain other citizens eligible for federal support measures. The Social Fund transferred a total of RUB 18 million in payments to such beneficiaries in the new regions.
Given that Russian law stipulates proactive assignment of MCP for persons with disabilities, the same approach was applied in the new regions of the Russian Federation. For most citizens, monthly cash payments were assigned proactively, based on data previously collected by the Social Fund. Individuals were only required to give consent to receive the funds.
It should be noted that monthly cash payments are assigned to residents of the new constituent entities upon confirmation of permanent residence in the territories of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions as of March 1, 2023, or September 30, 2022 (the date of their incorporation into the Russian Federation). MCP is also available to those who were permanently registered in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics between May 11, 2014, and September 29, 2022, and in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions between February 24 and September 29, 2022, but relocated to other regions of Russia during that period.
In the new constituent entities, MCP is assigned based on an application and documentation confirming eligibility for the payment, including disability status. The status of disabled combatant or combat veteran requires additional verification. To obtain this, individuals should submit relevant documents to the regional interdepartmental commission. Once the commission's conclusion is received, it should be submitted along with the MCP application to a Social Fund branch.
All recipients of monthly cash payments are entitled to a package of social services. This includes subsidized medications, spa treatment, and free travel on suburban trains. Citizens may choose to receive either the full MCP amount in cash or part of it in cash and part as a package of social services. Until the end of 2023, residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, will receive the monetary equivalent of the social services package as part of their MCP. Starting next year, residents of the new regions will be able to choose whether to continue receiving the monetary equivalent of the social services package or receive the services directly. To apply for services, a request should be submitted to the Social Fund by October 1, 2023.
Residents of the new territories may apply for support measures at regional branches of the Social Fund of Russia, as well as at multifunctional centers (MFCs). Payments can also be arranged at the place of temporary residence in any region of Russia. All individuals who confirm residence in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions are eligible for the payments.