The State Duma proposed to automatically assign support measures to the blind
Social support measures for blind and visually impaired citizens, which currently require separate applications, must be assigned automatically. This proposal was made on November 1 by Valery Seleznev, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy.
According to the parliamentarian, disability pensions and monthly cash payments to such citizens are usually issued without their application. However, in order to receive some benefits, an application is still necessary, he clarified in an interview with TASS. In particular, this applies to the standard tax deduction through the employer and the annual compensation of expenses for the maintenance and veterinary care of a guide dog.
"The Liberal Democratic Party stands for ensuring that the support measures provided for by law are available to people without unnecessary requests and complicated registration procedures. Assistance to those who use a guide dog is especially important: support should take into account not only the needs of a person, but also the cost of maintaining his four-legged assistant," Seleznev said.
In 2026, the amount of annual compensation for the maintenance of a guide dog is 39 951.15 rubles. In addition, an additional support measure has been in effect since March 26 — an electronic certificate for the purchase of food for an animal helper. Its amount can reach 83.9 thousand rubles per year with annual indexation from February 1.
According to the deputy, it is not necessary to apply for a certificate separately: it is issued automatically after the Social Fund of Russia makes a positive decision to pay compensation for the maintenance of a guide dog.
Disability certificates, which expire in January 2027, will be automatically extended for another six months without a citizen's application, they were informed on September 18. A special order will apply to the border areas, according to a government document.
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