Disability in 2023: how to apply

What procedures need to be completed to obtain disability, what documents are required – in the Kommersant certificate.

Who can apply for disability?

Both citizens of the Russian Federation and foreigners living in the country can apply for disability. The rules for this procedure are determined resolution government “On recognizing a person as disabled.” This status can be obtained if at least two of these conditions are met:

• health impairment with persistent impairment of body functions caused by diseases, consequences of injuries or defects;
• limitation of life activity (complete or partial loss by a citizen of the ability or ability to provide self-care, move independently, navigate, communicate, control one’s behavior, study or engage in work);
• the need for rehabilitation and habilitation measures.

Depending on illnesses or injuries, a person may receive group I, II, or III disability, and children under 18 years of age may receive the status of “disabled child.”

For how long is one recognized as disabled?

The category of “disabled child” is established for one year. It can be issued for two years if the child has persistent and significantly impaired body functions caused by diseases, defects, irreversible morphological changes, dysfunctions of organs and systems of the body that are not included in the special scroll government. If a person has diseases from this list, then the category of “disabled child” can be assigned for 5 years or until he reaches the age of 14 or 18 years.

Group I disability is established for two years, and II and III – for one year. Permanent disability can be established in the following cases:

• if a person has a disease that is included in a special scroll government. In this case, disability will be established indefinitely at the first examination or two years after receiving the first such status;
• if the disease is not included in the special list of the government, but within four years after the first recognition as disabled, it became obvious that rehabilitation and habilitation measures cannot eliminate or reduce the degree of disability.

How to apply for disability

The decision to recognize a person as disabled is made based on the results of a medical and social examination (MSE). Referrals are issued by medical organizations. The document can be issued by both public and private organizations.

How to get a referral to ITU

A citizen must undergo examination to be referred for medical examination at a medical organization. After this, the medical commission will decide on the need for referral to ITU. If the decision is positive, the citizen must give written consent to this procedure. In addition, to obtain a referral you will need the following documents:

• citizen’s passport;
• SNILS;
• compulsory medical insurance policy;
• the representative also needs his own passport and power of attorney.

The referral to the ITU should be prepared no more than 30 days. The procedure takes place during:

• three days if the citizen is in a hospital after amputation of limbs;
• one day if a person is recognized as in need of palliative care.

Is it possible to appeal a refusal to send to ITU?

A citizen can appeal the refusal to the ITU. You can do this:

• in the territorial Roszdravnadzor – if the institution that refused the referral belongs to the state, municipal or private healthcare systems at the regional level;
• in the federal Roszdravnadzor – if the institution that refused the referral belongs to the federal level healthcare system;
• in the body that performs the functions of the founder in relation to this medical organization, if the clinic that issued the decision does not belong to the healthcare system, for example, a departmental clinic of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

How does the ITU work?

Medical and social examination can be carried out:

• in the ITU office;
• at home, if a citizen cannot visit the office in person due to health reasons, which is confirmed by the conclusion of a medical organization;
• in a hospital if the citizen is undergoing treatment;
• in absentia.

The citizen will be informed about the time, place and form of the ITU by telephone, SMS or registered mail. The procedure must be carried out within 30 days after registration of the referral. Within up to three working days, it is carried out for citizens after amputation of limbs or those in need of palliative medical care.

During the examination, the bureau staff will study the documents submitted to them about your illness. If a citizen is personally present, he may be asked questions about his well-being and examined. Representatives of state extra-budgetary funds, Rostrud and specialists of relevant profiles can be invited to the examination. The citizen can also invite his own experts. The ITU Bureau may order additional tests and examinations if necessary. In addition, an individual rehabilitation or habilitation program is drawn up at the ITU.

The commission’s conclusion is issued on the same day if the citizen undergoes the ITU in person. If the procedure is carried out in absentia, the decision will be sent within three working days by mail or to your personal account on the State Services portal.

In what cases can you not pass the ITU in absentia?

A medical and social examination cannot take place without the presence of a citizen or his representative if:

• the person is in a social service organization that provides social services in a stationary form;
• it is impossible to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the documents;
• discrepancies were found between research data and expert opinions on the severity of persistent impairment of body functions caused by diseases, consequences of injuries and defects;
• additional examination is needed using special diagnostic equipment, special medical and social expert techniques and technologies;
• it is necessary to make changes to the individual rehabilitation or habilitation program (except for the need to correct personal data or eliminate technical errors).

In what other cases is MSE carried out?

Medical and social examination is also carried out if necessary:

• obtain a duplicate of a certificate confirming disability or the degree of loss of ability to work;
• receive a new document confirming disability when changing personal data;
• determine the cause of death of a victim as a result of an industrial accident, occupational disease, disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and other man-made disasters, wounds, contusions, mutilations, diseases received during military service;
• determine the cause of death of a disabled person.

In such cases, there is no need to receive a referral to ITU. A citizen can immediately contact the ITU office at his place of residence in person or through the State Services portal.

Is it possible to appeal the decision of the ITU Bureau?

In case of refusal to recognize disability, the citizen will receive an extract with the results of the MSA. You can appeal the commission’s decision within a month from its adoption. You must contact the agency that conducted the ITU or the main regional office. His decision can be appealed to the federal bureau. You can submit an application on paper or using the State Services portal. A repeat medical and social examination must be carried out within 30 days from the date of acceptance of the application.