Personal choice: what changes await beneficiaries from October
By the beginning of October, Russians eligible for federal benefits and support measures must determine exactly how they want to receive a set of social services: in kind or monetary compensation. This choice will affect millions of citizens and will significantly affect the development of the social protection system in Russia. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.
Factors of choosing a form of social support
Russians need to decide on the form of providing social services by October. Ekaterina Vasilchenko, Deputy head of the Social Fund's press service, explains that you can choose between in-kind or monetary assistance. Most receive assistance directly with services, but the flexibility of choice allows you to keep some of the services in kind and abandon others in favor of compensation with money, the expert clarifies.
"A decision can be made every year by submitting an application through Gosuslugi, the customer service of the SFR or the IFC," explained Olga Epifanova, senator, head of the Social Democratic Union of Women of Russia. — The selected option will be effective only from the new year and will remain in effect until the decision is changed.
According to her, the full monetary compensation for refusal of all services is 1728.46 rubles per month and is indexed annually.
At the same time, the individual components of the kit are estimated as follows: medicines and therapeutic nutrition for disabled children - 1331.30 rubles, a ticket to a sanatorium — 205.95 rubles, free travel on suburban and intercity transport — 191.21 rubles.
Oksana Dmitrieva, a State Duma deputy and former Minister of Labor, points out that regional peculiarities play a crucial role.
— When choosing, it should be borne in mind that the main factor is the ability or desire of the region to actually provide benefits in kind. At the expense of federal money, it is impossible to provide a ticket to a sanatorium, finance travel to the place of treatment and provide medicines," the expert explained.
If regional authorities subsidize the provision of benefits in kind — for example, in Moscow, sanatorium treatment is provided once a year to everyone — then it is clear that beneficiaries will choose it. If this is not the case, citizens will prefer to monetize their package, the deputy said.
However, the choice of form largely depends on personal preferences, financial literacy and accessibility of information, says Vladimir Vinogradov, CEO of Pro-Vision Communications.
— According to our estimates, many Russians value natural services because they provide direct access to benefits without having to deal with complex financial procedures, which is especially important for vulnerable groups. However, switching to cash payments can give greater flexibility and stimulate the independence of recipients, but it also risks reducing the level of support if people cannot effectively manage their funds," explains Vladimir Vinogradov.
Oleg Nikolaev, an expert at Delovaya Rossiya, notes that of the 15.2 million Russians who are eligible for benefits, 35% choose in—kind assistance, and 65% - monetary compensation. He is sure that the ratio is unlikely to change much in 2026, although Crimean sanatoriums would only be happy if people took vouchers more often than money.
Investment advisor Yulia Kuznetsova adds that citizens' decisions depend on the quality of infrastructure, income levels, and medical care needs. In regions with a shortage of services, people prefer money, but compensation is significantly lower than the market value, she reasonably notes. Monetization will simplify administration, but the money may not be used for treatment.
— Financing is uneven, which reinforces territorial differences. Families with children, the elderly, and the low—income run the risk of being left without quality care, while people with disabilities face barriers to registration and accessibility. The prospects are related to digitalization, "one window" and the right of an accompanying person to enjoy benefits, she emphasizes.
Mass transfer to cash payments: benefits, risks and consequences
Optimizing procedures and increasing flexibility are obvious advantages of monetary compensation, but experts also see serious risks.
Vladimir Vinogradov notes that the prospects for a massive transition to monetary compensation seem attractive, but there are also disadvantages. Firstly, this may lead to a certain increase in inequality, since people with a low level of financial literacy risk losing some or all of their means of support. Secondly, there is a risk of increased fraud and abuse, he points out.
At the same time, the expert draws attention to the fact that in regions with limited budgets, even basic services are often unavailable to citizens.
Alexander Safonov, professor at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, former Deputy Minister of Health and Social Development of Russia, adds that there are no risks of replacing in-kind benefits with cash payments, since all expenses are taken into account.
— However, access to in-kind benefits still varies depending on the development of regional infrastructure and other conditions. There's nothing you can do about it. Residents of economically developed regions have an advantage, where there is greater access to in—kind support," he explains. And budget-deficient regions establish a limited set of support measures, which especially affects poor families with children.
Social inequality and vulnerable groups
Difficulties with access to quality support increase social inequality, Vladimir Vinogradov believes.
"With insufficient government support, some of those in need may find themselves in a situation where formal opportunities are available, but actual assistance does not reach them," he assured.
Oksana Dmitrieva draws attention to the fact that it is precisely because of such disparities that beneficiaries value a Moscow or St. Petersburg residence permit.
Such heterogeneity creates barriers for many vulnerable segments of the population, the MP adds.
Special attention is paid to inclusive programs
People with disabilities remain one of the most vulnerable groups.
Snezhanna Brusenko, a specialist at the Academy of Labor and Social Relations, notes that despite government support, they often face bureaucratization, a fragmented support system and a lack of information. Therefore, a special place is occupied by the full involvement of people with disabilities and HIA in the life of society.
At the same time, development prospects are linked to the digitalization of public services and the creation of sustainable inclusive programs that reduce physical, informational and organizational barriers, believes Snezhanna Brusenko.
Marina Kartseva, Deputy Director of the INSAP Center of the IPEI Presidential Academy, confirms the importance of drug provision.
— The main reason for refusing free medicines is the physical barriers to obtaining them. Almost half of them refuse because the necessary medicines are not available in pharmacies or their supply is limited. Queues and difficulties in prescribing prescriptions become a barrier for 23%," says Marina Kartseva.
In addition to medicines, this form of social support includes sanatorium-resort treatment and free travel on suburban and intercity railway transport.
It is worth noting that interest in in-kind support is growing: if in 2017 about half of beneficiaries chose monetary compensation, then by 2023 only 37%, and 56% already received free medicines, the expert noted.
She also added that a possible reason for the transition from monetary compensation to in kind is a significant increase in drug prices, overtaking the growth of retirement incomes of citizens — the main source of income for the elderly.
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