The average time for approving and revising the terms of a monthly cash payout has been cut by nearly 10% and 15% respectively. The Social Fund also shortened the processing time for applications from monthly cash payout recipients regarding their choice of how to receive social services. Such applications are processed within one day now.
"The Social Fund’s systemic efforts to streamline internal processes enable us to improve the quality of services provided. Simplifying procedures and accelerating payments under this approach secure real assistance to people exactly when they need it most. Especially when it comes to people with disabilities, veterans, and families entitled to benefits," said Sergey Chirkov.
A monthly cash payout is available to citizens with disabilities, combat veterans and their families, victims of radiation or man-made disasters, Heroes of Russia and Heroes of Labor, as well as Great Patriotic War veterans, and others. When the payout is processed, the recipient is automatically assigned a package of social services.
This package includes a health resort voucher, free travel on suburban commuter trains, provision of medicines and medical devices. Recipients may opt to exchange unused services for a cash compensation by submitting an application to the Social Fund. The average processing time for such applications has been reduced to one day. A similar procedure applies when choosing services instead of cash.
At present, monthly cash payouts for people with disabilities, just like social services, are processed without an application being submitted, i.e. automatically, upon receipt of relevant data from a medical and social assessment agency. A systemic update of the service delivery standards has also allowed the Fund to significantly accelerate the provision of corresponding services to other eligible beneficiaries as well.
The citizen satisfaction index for the above services remains high, currently standing at 4.9 out of 5 points. The monthly cash payout and social benefits package services are also rated high at 'A+' for being compliant with public service standards under the Government for the People project.