Families with a small per capita income can count on financial assistance from the state, as well as some benefits. To get help, you need to complete the paperwork correctly.
Why is it necessary to register the status of a poor family
Poor families are not uncommon these days. Every person can face difficulties in life. For many, the reasons for the sharp decline in living standards are the loss of a job, the birth of a child and the need to take maternity leave, stay on parental leave from 1, 5 to 3 years old, which is almost unpaid. In some families, per capita income is consistently low due to low wages for breadwinners or a large number of dependent young children.
When it becomes difficult to cope with difficulties, you can formalize the status of a poor family. This provides many advantages and allows you to improve your financial situation. Poor families can enjoy benefits and receive financial assistance from the state. There are many types of benefits, but the main ones can be considered:
- receiving targeted financial assistance (once a year);
- receiving targeted deputy assistance (once a year and not in all regions);
- monthly child benefits;
- registration of free meals for schoolchildren;
- compensation for part of the parental fee for kindergarten children;
- reimbursement of part of the cost of housing and communal services (subject to additional requirements):
- providing children under 3 years of age with free milk mixtures and cereals on the basis of city polyclinics.
There are other benefits as well. Each region may have its own list of compensation. For example, in some regions there are payments for large families, which can be received only if the standard of living is low.
For children from low-income families, in almost all regions there are programs according to which trips to children's camps can be provided. In some regions, preschoolers with their parents can visit the sanatorium under the "Mother and Child" program.
What families can be considered poor
To obtain the status of a poor family, you must meet a number of requirements. The most important thing is that the average per capita income should not exceed the established subsistence minimum. There is no single data on the subsistence level. Each region has its own and can range from 8,000 to 22,000 rubles. The maximum indicators were recorded for the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.
An important clarification is that the subsistence minimum is average and calculated for pensioners, the working-age population and children. For the working-age population, this figure is higher. The smallest living wage is for pensioners. But when it comes to assigning the status of a low-income family, they take the average indicator.
A family is recognized as low-income if:
- the average per capita income does not exceed the subsistence level established for the region at the time of submission of documents;
- all able-bodied family members work or have good reasons why they cannot go to work.
Good reasons why people of working age may not work are:
- caring for a disabled child;
- caring for an adult family member with a severe disability;
- caring for a child up to 3 years old;
- caring for a relative who is over 80 years old (subject to cohabitation in the same territory).
There are special conditions for women with 3 or more children. These mothers may not work until the youngest child is 14 years old.
Features of recognizing families as poor in some regions
Some regions have their own amendments to the law on recognizing families as poor. This amendment became possible after the entry into force of social codes. In some regions, such documents have already been adopted. On their basis, the number of families receiving payments and benefits can be either expanded or reduced.
For example, a number of restrictions have been made for residents of some constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Families in such regions may not be recognized as poor if:
- family members own several apartments or houses, the area of which exceeds the established standards;
- the family members own several expensive cars.
In some regions, codes are already under consideration, according to which inspectors can check not only certificates of income of family members, but also actual receipts on bank cards, debits from them, as well as large purchases made over the past year.
Where can the documents be processed
If the family fits the definition of poor, you can apply for the appropriate status at the Center for Social Support of the Population. Some regions have One Stop Shop. Most cities have multifunctional centers. The possibility of submitting documents to the MFC is very convenient for the population. You just need to choose the nearest branch of the MFC and clarify the schedule of its work, the availability of an appointment.
To recognize a family as poor, the following documents (originals) are required:
- family members' passports;
- birth certificates of children;
- marriage or divorce certificates;
- work books (original) for non-working able-bodied family members;
- certified copies of work books of working family members;
- a certificate of the composition of the family (or an extract from the personal account);
- income certificates for the last 3 months (3 months preceding the month of application) for all working family members;
- certificate of receipt of alimony indicating the amount of payments for the last 3 months.
It is important to understand that for the calculation it is necessary to take into account all family income, and not just wages. The following are subject to accounting:
- the salary of all family members (not only the base rate, but all bonuses);
- scholarships;
- alimony;
- benefits;
- pensions;
- lump sum payments;
- income from renting out property;
- income from business activities.
If a family member receives benefits, you need to clarify whether there is a need to provide certificates. Most often, it is enough to indicate this fact in the application, and representatives of social services will make appropriate requests.
Income from renting out property, from entrepreneurial activity must be documented. You should not hide your income, because when registering the status of a poor family, the applicant signs a document stating that he has been warned about administrative and criminal liability in case of providing false information about his family.
In the certificate on the composition of the family, all relatives living in the house or apartment are indicated. But when registering a status, only a separate unit of society is taken into account - spouses and their children. If retired parents live in the apartment, adult children with their families may need to write an application for separate housekeeping.
In most regions, after checking the documents, applicants are given a certificate indicating the average per capita income. This is a confirmation of the family's status. Child benefits can be applied for at the MFC or social service immediately. To obtain some benefits, you need to provide a certificate to the relevant institutions in order to confirm your status.
If you have any questions, you can consult with the specialists of the One Stop Shop or the MFC, but these organizations are only collecting and processing documents. The decision on the status assignment and the implementation of all settlements is made at the Center for Social Support. If you have any controversial questions regarding a particular family, you need to contact the social service directly.
For how long is a family recognized as poor
Currently, in almost all regions, a family is recognized as poor for a period of 1 year. After this time, you need to re-apply to the MFC or the Center for Social Support of the Population to extend all payments and benefits. In this case, the package of documents must be collected again.
Legislation changes regularly and some regions have their own regulations, therefore, the timing of the subsequent application should be clarified when submitting an application. The status of a poor family can be assigned for a shorter period if certain circumstances arise during the year. For example, if a mother is on parental leave for a child under 3 years old and the leave ends a few months after contacting social services, the status of a poor family is assigned until the child turns 3 years old. After that, you need to re-contact the MFC or the social service and provide data on job placement and certificates of wages. Benefits will be extended if the average per capita income, when all circumstances change, still does not exceed the subsistence level.
If circumstances arise that may affect the payment of benefits, you must report this to the Social Support Center. If a family member takes a higher-paying job and income increases significantly, the status will be canceled.
