Registration of disability for pensioners is necessary because it gives them the right to certain benefits for themselves. These include an increase in pension payments, preferential medications and special devices (canes, hearing aids, strollers, etc.), travel on public transport without payment or at a reduced price, a discount on utility bills and other benefits.
Registration of a disability group is a rather lengthy process
It is necessary to understand that registration of a disability group is a rather lengthy process. In addition, after a person is assigned a group, he will need to periodically confirm his disability by going through the commission again.
Diseases for obtaining disability
ITU employees do not have the right to register disability for a pensioner if his illness is not on the list approved by law. That is, the opportunity to receive disability payments is available to persons suffering from: diabetes, bronchial asthma, cancer, epilepsy, spinal hernia, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, hypertension, as well as citizens who have suffered a heart attack or stroke. The entire list is presented in Resolution No. 95.
Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of February 20, 2006 N 95 (as amended on May 16, 2019) “On the procedure and conditions for recognizing a person as disabled”
How is disability classified?
The disability group assigned to a pensioner depends on the type and characteristics of the development of his illness. Only if the disease progresses and does not allow you to lead a normal lifestyle, you can receive the status of a disabled person and all the benefits that are due to him, which are provided in accordance with the group.
In group 1, people cannot take care of themselves without the help of others; such disabled people are entitled to the most benefits.
In group 2, patients can move and care for themselves, but they need special devices for this, as well as special conditions outside the home. They often require temporary help from others.
With group 3, people can take care of themselves; in addition, this disability is registered even for a working pensioner, that is, if you have such a group, you can find a job in some areas. But it is necessary to take into account the reduced amount of information that such a patient is able to absorb.
A disability pensioner of group 3 receives the right to:
- free travel on passenger transport (urban and suburban);
- purchasing a ticket at half price of its full price when traveling on intercity transport from the beginning of October to mid-May, as well as a one-time 50% discount not only during this time period;
- discount on medicines (it is important to register unemployed status at the labor exchange);
- discount on safety shoes.
Pensioners of the 2nd disability group enjoy benefits in the form of:
- annual travel without payment to the medical institution where they undergo treatment;
- free medications prescribed by a doctor;
- free prosthetic limbs (from the budget of regional authorities);
- reduced working days or hours while maintaining remuneration as for a regular employee;
- additional leave (+30 days);
- travel in all types of passenger transport without payment;
- 50% discounts on tickets when traveling on any international transport (trains, planes, etc.). The period of their validity is similar to the period of travel on intercity transport for persons with group 3.
Disability group 1 is assigned to a pensioner along with such concessions as:
- free travel to the medical institution where a disabled person is undergoing treatment for the disabled person and his accompanying person (provided once);
- free rides on city and suburban vehicles;
- free prescription medications;
- voucher to a sanatorium;
- dentures for teeth with a 100% discount;
- specialized devices at a discount of up to half price;
- travel on international transport with similar discounts on tickets and their validity period as for pensioners with the 2nd group.
How to apply for disability for a bedridden pensioner
Registration of disability for a bedridden patient is quite a troublesome task, and besides, it takes a long time. Due to the impossibility of movement and personal presence in all instances, an incapacitated citizen can apply for disability only with outside help.
As a rule, a medical commission goes to the home of bedridden patients for examination, but in order for it to arrive, it is necessary to undergo an examination by specialists, take tests and receive a referral to the ITU.
The first thing you need to do is to issue a notarized power of attorney for a relative or other person who will help the pensioner in obtaining a disability group.
In order to do this, you need to call a notary to your home. With a power of attorney drawn up in accordance with all the rules, a citizen representing the interests of a pensioner can contact the medical institution to call the necessary doctors, as well as collect tests at home. After the patient has been examined and all test results are ready, the attending physician issues a referral for medical examination, where disability will be assigned.
Usually, with the received referral, the patient himself must appear at the commission, but in cases where a citizen cannot move independently, specialists from the ITU can also be invited home.
Documents that must be submitted to ITU for examination at home:
- passport of the patient, as well as his legal representative;
- a copy of the work book;
- pensioner's certificate;
- patient's medical record;
- discharge from hospital;
- a certificate stating that the patient is not able to appear in person.
The submitted documents are reviewed within a month, then a date and time for the commission’s departure is set. The decision to assign a group is made on the same day. The commission issues an opinion, as well as a list of necessary medications and devices that can make the patient’s life easier. They are provided free of charge.
It is possible to reduce the time to obtain disability for bedridden patients if you begin the registration procedure when the patient is being treated in a hospital. Since it will not take time for doctors to visit your home, the examination will be carried out in the near future in a hospital setting.
Applying for a disability pension: steps
The first step is to visit a general practitioner or other highly specialized doctor in the area of a particular disease. It reveals the stage of the disease, the chances of cure, and the possibility of registering a disability group. In this regard, the doctor refers the person for a medical examination. You can also go to a private clinic, pension fund or social benefits department for a referral.
Applying for a disability pension
The second step is collecting a large number of documents, for which you will have to visit different authorities. You will need both originals and copies.
The third step is the medical examination itself, which the patient must attend in person. He will be examined by several doctors. Sometimes, by decision of the commission, a person needs to undergo additional examinations in order to obtain the right to register for disability.
The fourth step is to provide a certificate of disability and develop an IPR. The IPR sheet includes medications and treatment methods, including sanatorium-resort treatment, special devices and things provided free of charge.
If the patient does not agree with the decision of the commission, he has the right to challenge it. To do this, you need to draw up a complaint and submit it to the ITU federal bureau. The last resort to challenge the decision in case of repeated refusal is to go to court.
At the last stage, after receiving a disability group, you must contact the benefits payment department. This can be done by the disabled person himself or his authorized representative.
What does disability give to a pensioner?
Disability is a status that provides additional benefits and privileges. All types of assistance are aimed at helping people with disabilities.
When registering the status of a disabled person and collecting documents for disability, a pensioner should count on the following benefits:
- Assignment of pension. Its size is determined depending on the group of health restrictions.
- Free medications and supplies. Issued by prescription from the attending physician.
- Compensation for spa treatment. Part of the funds to pay for treatment is reimbursed by the state.
- Rehabilitation according to special programs. Aimed at the adaptation of citizens in the social environment.
- The right to social benefits: free travel, compensation for utilities, tax breaks and exemptions.
Part of the social guarantees can be monetized, that is, replaced with money: when applying for a disability pension, a citizen has the right to refuse free medicines and replace them with a monthly cash supplement.
What documents are needed to register disability?
The patient must provide:
- sample application;
Sample application
- referral for medical examination;
- ID card with its copy;
- pensioner's certificate;
- outpatient card and copy;
- work report with a certified copy;
- an extract with a copy from the medical institutions where the treatment was completed;
- if necessary, an N-1 act confirming the patient’s right to receive disability.
Having prepared the documents for obtaining disability, you should go to the ITU at your home address. A specific date will be assigned. It is important to show up for examination without delay, otherwise the commission will postpone consideration of the application. Be sure to take clean shoes or shoe covers. The commission will include 4 doctors who will study in detail the medical history, tests, and conclusions of doctors from the clinic.
After examining the patient, the final decision is made by voting. The period during which the disability is valid will be indicated. After the expiration of the period, re-examination is necessary.
If the disabled person is bedridden
When a pensioner is unable to move without assistance, he has the right to receive disability at home.
The examination of such a patient will be carried out by a local doctor, who will also write out a referral for the patient and invite other doctors who are required to examine the person to make a decision.
In the application to the ITU, you will need to note the fact that the applicant’s condition for disability does not allow him to come for an examination so that the commission can hold a meeting at his home. Usually, the disability of a bedridden person is registered by a trusted person, who, as a rule, is his close relative.
The procedure for registering disability for the military
Pensions for disabled military personnel are arranged a little differently. The same applies to people working in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Persons whose health was seriously damaged during the performance of obligations related to a part of their service or within 3 months from the date of its completion are entitled to payments.
After going through the standard process of registering disability, a military pensioner must contact the pension department of the Ministry of Defense with the following documents:
- statement;
Statement
- passport with a copy;
- ITU document provided as a result of the survey;
- conclusions of the military medical commission.
How to apply for disability after a stroke/heart attack
When undergoing this procedure by people with whom these misfortunes happened, there are some peculiarities. In general, the procedure itself does not differ from the process of assigning disability for another disease, however, a number of nuances must be taken into account.
First of all, it is allowed to receive disability only 16 weeks after the opening of the sick leave. The second point is that re-examination will need to be done in a year, and it will be possible to receive only the 3rd group or the disability will be completely removed, because often during this time the body’s functions are completely rehabilitated. But in 50% of cases, group 3 remains with the patient.
How can a pensioner obtain a disability group?
In order to receive disability, a non-working citizen must follow a certain procedure.
First of all, you need to visit the hospital and get an appointment with your doctor. After which the doctor sends you for examination to a specialist, and also prescribes the necessary examinations. Since some tests are valid for a limited time, they should be taken last.
After visiting specialists, as well as receiving all test results, the attending physician issues a referral to undergo a special commission (ITU). It must be signed by the head physician of the hospital, and only after that the patient can apply to the ITU at his place of registration.
Negative decision
There are situations when the commission refuses to apply to a disabled person, although the patient still has the rights and chances of becoming a disability pensioner. This is possible when a person can still take care of himself, but his illness develops further. Problems often arise with bedridden people, because medical examination requires their presence.
If the commission decides to deny the status of a disabled person, then within 1 month you need to submit an application for examination with a new group of doctors. This can be done at the same bureau where the commission was passed or at a higher bureau. That is, if the first time it was a regional bureau, then the second time you need to submit an application to the regional one.
If the refusal is given a second time, then you can file a claim and all documents indicating the right to receive disability to the court. The list of collected documents must be indicated in the inventory, and in the claim, reference to the violated legal acts must be made. But if a negative decision is made in court, it will no longer be possible to appeal it.
Visit to the pension fund to register disabled status and pension
After receiving disability, you need to report to the Pension Fund at your residential address.
In order to receive the required pension payments and enjoy benefits, you will need to provide the fund with a package of documents:
- identification document, including its copy;
- application for a disability pension;
- labor document or other document confirming the citizen’s length of service. It must be signed by the employer and certified by the company seal;
- a certificate provided based on the results of the examination of the patient.
10 days are allotted for consideration. It should be noted that in case of any shortcomings or missing papers, a complete package of all requested documents must be collected within 3 months or the application will be cancelled. Therefore, it is recommended to immediately study and prepare everything that is required.
How to apply for disability for a military pensioner
The registration procedure for military citizens is not much different and the main document is also the ITU conclusion.
The main difference is that it is necessary to undergo a special military commission (SMC) in order to prove the connection between the disability and the disease or injury received during service.
Disability can be assigned to military personnel both during service and within three months after transfer to the reserve. The amount of payments will depend on how the disability was acquired.
If damage to health was caused during the performance of a service assignment or combat, the payments will be larger. If as a result of illness or concussion, but issued after retirement, the amount of payments will be slightly less.
Re-examination
The length of time for which a disabled person is granted legal status depends on the group. For group 1 it is 2 years, for groups 2 and 3 it is only a year. After this time, disability will need to be confirmed again. Depending on the patient’s condition, the disabled status may be removed or the previous group may change.
The stages of re-examination do not differ from the stages completed for the first time. Similar documents will also be needed, only the previously issued ITU and IPR certificate will be additionally required. However, there is a category of persons who receive disability for life and who are not required to be re-examined.
These are the people:
- those who have become disabled due to irreversible morphological diseases;
- with impaired organ function;
- with significant defects.
Rehabilitation
Our state has rehabilitation programs according to the citizen’s illness. When re-examined and if a treatment plan is issued, the person is required to provide evidence that he has passed it. If a disabled person refuses to follow this plan, their assigned group may be removed, and at the same time the disease will progress.
Is it possible to work with a disability?
In group 3, people with disabilities have an open path to work in many areas, but at the same time they can enjoy all the benefits listed for them in the Labor Code.
It is more difficult for representatives of the 2nd group. They mainly have to work for social entrepreneurs who hire disabled workers in exchange for benefits. Patients of group 1 have the most difficulty in this regard, but they themselves are not interested in working. As a rule, such people are under the supervision of guardians and are unable to live without them.
At the same time, the pension for working disabled people is not canceled (neither the basic one nor the one due by status) and the fact that they are employed somewhere does not in any way affect its size.
