Digital Services to Help Russians Access Utility Subsidies
Digital tools are set to simplify access to housing and utility subsidies while reducing administrative costs.
Russia plans to streamline the process of receiving subsidies for housing and utility payments through the rollout of digital services, TASS reported, citing government documents. If necessary, a federal law and accompanying government regulation could be drafted by February 2029.
The initiative carries multiple benefits. On one hand, it is designed to support socially vulnerable groups. On the other, it is expected to cut government costs related to processing, analyzing, and administering subsidy applications.
Under current rules, Russians are eligible for subsidies if their housing and utility expenses exceed a certain share of household income. On average nationwide, that threshold stands at 22 percent.
Simplifying and Accelerating the Process
Earlier, the Moscow region introduced a digital option for applying for housing and utility social support. Residents can partially reimburse their utility expenses by submitting an application through the regional government services portal.
The region has also launched a pilot project aimed at simplifying utility bill payments. A new service called Ediny Platezhny Dokument (Unified Payment Document) has appeared on the regional public services website. It allows residents to receive and pay bills online, significantly streamlining and accelerating the process.
For those unable to pay their bills in full at once, installment options are now available. The digital platform Dispatcher 24, together with the service Dolyami (installment payment service), has introduced the option to pay housing and utility bills in installments directly through a mobile app. Residents can pay part of the amount upfront and settle the remainder in stages.
