Russia's Social Fund (SFR) has updated the rules for prosthetic services, technical rehabilitation aids, guide dogs, and sign language interpretation provided to the disabled and veterans.
State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Protection and Veterans Affairs Chairman Yaroslav Nilov called the new regulation "a positive step". Speaking to Parlamentskaya Gazeta, Nilov noted that the service delivery timeframes have improved significantly compared to 5-6 years ago but that some delays still occur. "Defining such clear deadlines is undoubtedly a positive step that will make the system more effective and faster," he said.
With the new rules, decision deadlines for applications have been tightened, and reasons for rejection have been given a clearer list. Rejection grounds include inability to verify identity or representative authority, the applicant already possessing the same technical rehabilitation aid, lack of the relevant privileged status, or incomplete documentation.
Additionally, citizens will now be able to more easily track their application status via the "Gosuslugi" platform, phone, multifunctional centers (MFC), SFR branches, email, and regular mail.