Paying for communal services has a noticeable effect on our wallet, and tariffs are growing all the time.
Since not everyone knows about ways to save money through benefits and subsidies, let’s talk about them using the example of Moscow and the Moscow region.
BENEFITS AND SUBSIDIES
It’s not the same thing.
A subsidy is a monetary compensation that is given to an applicant based on his or her family’s financial condition. Muscovites who spend more than 10% of their income on housing and communal services are eligible for a subsidy. Since January 1, 2024, the maximum income eligible for a subsidy for a single person has increased to 61,439 rubles. In 2023, this amount was 59,799 rubles. The subsidy is provided for six months.
Benefits are a measure of social support for certain categories of the population, for example, for veterans of labor and military operations, the disabled, honorary donors, and large families. More than 60 categories of citizens can take advantage of benefits for housing and communal services in the capital. The full list is published on the official website of the City Center for Housing Subsidies (GZHS).
WHERE TO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION
This can be done on the portal of the Moscow government, mos.ru if charges for utilities are made by the “My Documents” centers. If receipts are generated by a management or resource supply organization, documents confirming the right to benefits must be provided to them.
It is important that for registration of benefits and subsidies on the portal mos.ru A full account is required. To help Muscovites, there are video instructions on filling out applications for subsidies and benefits on the website of the City Center for Housing Subsidies. Starting in May 2024, citizens of the older generation can apply for help in making applications in electronic form for benefits and subsidies to the Moscow longevity centers.
WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED WITH BENEFITS
Benefits can be provided for payment of: residential premises (rent, maintenance of residential premises, contribution for major repairs); utilities (cold water, hot water, sanitation, heating, electricity, solid municipal waste management, gas); communication services (radio and TV antenna).
The amount of benefits and subsidies for housing and communal services is calculated for each applicant individually based on the submitted package of documents, family composition, membership in the preferential category, total income, and the amount of charges for housing and communal services.
For example, honorary donors in Moscow can receive a 50% discount on heating, water and electricity supply (per person within the social norm of the area and consumption standards). People with disabilities are entitled to a similar discount on resource supply, on the handling of MSW, and on capital repair contributions. Full information can be obtained on the website of the City Center for Housing Subsidies.
CAN THE AMOUNT OF THE SUBSIDY CHANGE?
The amount of subsidies is calculated according to the formula:
subsidy = (regional standard of housing and communal services cost x number of people in the family) – (monthly total family income x share of allowable housing and communal services costs in the region).
During the grant period, its amount may change both up and down. If the charges for housing and communal services have decreased, then the amount of the subsidy may also decrease. And with an increase in prices and tariffs for residential premises and utilities, the amount of the subsidy will increase.
For more detailed advice on support measures, Muscovites can contact the public services centers “My Documents” or by calling the Unified Information Service of the capital +7 (495) 777-77-77.
THE SUBTLETIES OF THE MOSCOW REGION
To apply for benefits, you can type the words “housing and communal services compensation” into the search bar on the portal of regional public services. The system will first ask you to log in through the federal portal of public services. Then you need to fill out the application form and send the documents confirming the right to the benefit.
“In six months, residents of the region have submitted more than 105 thousand online applications, and about 4 thousand times a week they apply for the service. Last year, we excluded the reconciliation of documents in the MFC and completely converted the service to electronic form,” said Irina Kaklyugina, Vice-Governor of the Moscow Region.
The service “Providing subsidies to citizens for housing and communal services” is available on the portal of public services of the Moscow region in the section “House and housing and communal services” – “State support”.
The amount of the subsidy is calculated depending on the size of the housing and communal services cost standards and the standards of the standard area of residential premises: for single residents – 33 sq. m, for a family of two people – 42 sq. m. m, for each family member from 3 people – 18 square meters. meters.
Recently, the procedure for providing housing subsidies has been simplified in the Moscow region. Now, when submitting an application on the regional portal of public services, you need to give consent to the processing of personal data and then the subsidy will be extended automatically in the next period.
The subsidy is provided based on the area of the living space, as well as the cost of housing and communal services of the recipients, if the cost of rent and communal services exceed 22% of the total family income, the applicant has the right to receive it. The applicant must have a residence permit in the Moscow region.
Galina Kaluzhskaya
Photo: LEGION-MEDIA
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