Social cards for the poor. Food cards will give those receiving less than the subsistence level
In 2017, food cards with points will appear in Russia; this program will cost the state 240 billion rubles. (about $ 4 billion). Russian media quoted the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, who spoke about the principle of the cards.
The cards will allow low-income people to buy products that they previously could not afford: fresh chilled meat, fresh chilled fish, fresh vegetables.
Accumulation system will not be, points not spent within a month will "burn out".
In addition, this money cannot be cashed out.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade reported that 15 million people could become recipients of aid, monthly payment will amount to 1400 rubles. It will be possible to stock up on the card at any retail outlets working with the national payment system.
According to Manturov, targeted food subsidies will not only help poor citizens buy goods inaccessible to them, but also protect the state from misuse of allocated funds.
American experience
Experts note that the program proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade resembles the American Food Stamp Program.it federal program assistance to residents of the United States of America who have no income or have low income.
Responsible for the program Ministry Agriculture USA. Currently, most of the funds are distributed using plastic cards.
As of October 2016, 43,215,557 people from 21,328,525 households were receiving food assistance.
The average monthly benefit was $ 126.13 per person and $ 256.93 per household.
The main goal of the discount food program is to improve the quality of food for low-income citizens.
You can only buy food on the card, while alcohol and cigarettes do not belong to this category, respectively, you cannot spend the allocated money on these goods.
Among the products that can be bought are vegetables and fruits, bread, milk and dairy products, meat and fish, poultry.
You can not buy food and goods for animals, alcoholic drinks and cigarettes, household goods, live animals.
But you can buy live fish with these cards, since it belongs to the category of food.
You can buy sweets, pastries and pastries.
In addition, it is not possible to buy cards in all stores. Also, you cannot cash out this money or buy food with it in fast food restaurants.
However, as practice has shown, families receiving food stamps no longer spend on food: most of the money saved by exchanging food stamps is spent on other purposes.
As with any donation system, there are cases of corruption and fraud.
Citizens participating in the program begin to hide their additional income to continue to receive government assistance.
Despite the ban on exchanging food stamps for cash, recipients of food stamps often collude with sellers and sell them coupons at a discount, for example, a $ 400 coupon sells for $ 200.
This is beneficial for the recipient of the coupons: he does not receive food, but real money, and for the seller: he receives the full value of the coupon from the budget as compensation.
The result is a significant criminalization of the food stamp industry.
As Vesti.Ekonomika previously wrote, the number of people in the United States receiving food ration cards has grown significantly in the eight years that Obama was in power.
When he came to power in 2009, 28,223,000 people were receiving food stamps.
In 2016, already 44,219,000 people received food ration cards. Thus, the growth amounted to almost 16 million people.
Grocery cards in other countries of the world
In the XX century, they were widely used in the countries of the socialist camp to combat commodity shortages, and in countries with market economy- to support socially unprotected segments of the population.In particular, ration cards became widespread after the end of World War II.
In the Czech Republic, the rationing system for basic foodstuffs was introduced on October 2, 1939, for fabrics, clothing, footwear and heating oil - in December of the same year. With changes and additions, it existed until May 31, 1953 and was canceled during the monetary reform.
In Great Britain, gasoline cards were abolished in 1950, for sugar and sweets in 1953, and for meat in July 1954.
Japan abolished the rationing system in 1949. state control over prices canceled in 1952
In Israel, the rationing system was introduced in 1949-1952.
Card-coupon distribution systems exist to this day in some countries.
Thus, the card system is present in countries such as Venezuela and Cuba.
Cuba currently spends over a billion dollars on food subsidies, which are distributed through cards to the population. Cubans pay only 12% of the real cost of food.
You can use it to buy groceries for about 10 days, but the card is inexpensive: only a dollar a month per person.
The card system in Cuba was introduced in 1962.
Venezuela, which has been in a state of crisis for several years, also has a food stamp system. The card system was introduced in 2014.
With the cards you can buy scarce goods - rice, milk, sugar.
Food cards in our country
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In our country, the coupon system was most widespread in 1988-1991, when the total deficit reached its peak, and both meat products and ordinary products, which were not in short supply before: sugar, cereals, vegetable oil, and others, began to disappear.
The voucher system came to naught from the beginning of 1992 in connection with the "release" of prices, which reduced effective demand, and the spread of free trade. For a number of goods in some regions, coupons were kept longer.
The decision of the authorities to introduce a food rationing system in our country caused a mixed reaction in the society.
There were both critics of this idea, claiming that such a system would lead to corruption and fraudulent schemes and would not in any way affect the welfare of the poor, and supporters who point out that such a system could stimulate demand growth in the country.
In particular, the business ombudsman Boris Titov in an interview with the host of the Opinion program Evelina Zakamskaya said:
"Many countries, even prosperous America, have a system to support the basic demand for FMCG. Why don't we have this? Why not give us the opportunity to stimulate consumers to buy domestic food products? This will give a serious impetus: firstly, it will improve the life of the population, on the other hand, it will stimulate the development of Russian agriculture.".
"This would give a little less than 1% to the growth of agricultural volumes. To GDP it (would add - editor's note) a few tenths of percentage points," he added.
"Peace" to help
The Mir debit card will become a payment instrument within the framework of the food aid program for low-income citizens of Russia; at the moment, a method is being finalized to bring funds from the budget to consumers, the press service of the Ministry of Industry and Trade reported."Payment instrument of the program, electronic food certificate - debit card"Peace". It can be specially issued at the request of the consumer by any bank or the consumer can use the existing one, "the press service said.
The ministry pointed to the versatility of the Mir card: it can be used to charge a salary, stipend, allowance or other payments.
Now the Ministry of Industry and Trade is finalizing the very architecture of the program's processing - a way to bring money from the budget to consumers and then to retail outlets.
At the same time, automatic control of the targeted spending of these funds will be ensured, since the money allocated under the program can be spent only on certain categories of products.
"Together with NSPK JSC, the operator of the national payment system" Mir ", we have already found a suitable technical solution that may well operate within the framework of the existing processing mechanisms for payments with bank cards. No. If not, the system will not miss such a purchase, "the press service added.
Moreover, the cards can be used in all stores that are ready to work in this system.
If you are a retired person, it will be useful for you to know that rumors about food ration cards, which you can get a certain set of essential food items, are a future reality. Who is eligible to receive support from the state, and on what conditions product certificates are issued - let's talk about this in more detail.
For people "from the 90s" the very concept of a food card is terrifying - a kilogram of sugar, buckwheat, millet and a little butter - that's what we remember. However, today's product certificate is a completely different document and has a significantly expanded range.
The introduction of certificates for citizens with a minimum standard of living is the idea of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The assistance program provides for the issuance of special cards for receiving food products to low-income families and pensioners. It seems that the certificate will be some kind of analogue bank card where funds are credited. But you can spend them only for certain purposes in certain stores. It is believed that not money will be credited to the cards, but their equivalent in special points.
What products can you buy:
- only from a Russian manufacturer;
- essential goods;
- short-term storage products: dairy, fish, meat, fermented milk, vegetables, bread.
That is, it is clearly not designed for imported delicacies, alcohol, cigarettes, but the list of the food set is still being discussed and will become known a little later. The social support program for citizens is also designed to support a Russian manufacturer and retailer. That is why the receipt of goods will be limited to certain retail outlets.
Issue price
Officials believe that the amount of 10,000 rubles. enough to get essential products. Moreover, the entire volume of finance is supposed to be divided into a year (12 months). Thus, monthly expenses will not exceed 833 rubles. Enough? Unlikely. Initially, it was about 1400 rubles. monthly, but they decided to cut these crumbs.
Who can get the certificate
The right to a certificate is received by citizens whose income for the last 3 months has not exceeded the minimum subsistence level. As a rule, these are people who have benefits for paying utility bills, receiving social subsidies, additional payments for children. If this is a family, then the total income is calculated, divided by all family members. Revenues are compared to regional frameworks living wage, and it sometimes differs from the federal one and varies depending on the territorial location of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
Where is the food certification program already running in 2018?
The Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed to introduce the program back in 2014, but there was no money in the budget and the issue was raised in 2017.The program was discussed, approved, and in the summer of 2017 D. Manurov announced the launch of the assistance system in the second half of 2018.
The deputy head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade V. Evtukhov made amendments, saying that the required amount of funding is required, but there is no funds in the budget. And the program, having passed the approvals, remained “on the shelf” for now. In 2018, it was not possible to launch the assistance system either, but Mr. Manturov assures that no one is going to give up and there is a hope to launch the certificates in 2019. It all depends on whether the budget will find funds to help the poor in the Russian Federation. It remains to wait for the discussion of the draft budget in the State Duma, at which it will be found out whether the costs are for Russian citizens or not.
The social function of the state is to help people who have fallen into a difficult financial situation... For this, the needy citizens are provided with subsidies and benefits, as well as cash payments and the provision of basic necessities. The Moscow authorities tried to improve this mechanism, and replaced the in-kind distribution of things and food with electronic certificates.
At the moment, social certificates are valid only in Moscow.
It is known that a significant part of the budget is spent on purchasing food. Assistance in their acquisition from the state is for such families a serious material help, allowing them to spend the money saved on other needs.
The program is implemented by regional social protection authorities and depends on the possibilities local budget... This can be the provision of food, the allocation of funds for their purchase or the organization of free meals in educational, medical or social institutions.
However, practice shows the imperfection of such schemes. The provision of food does not always meet the needs of a particular family, and it can be difficult to verify the targeted spending of the allocated funds. Therefore, for several years now, the possibility of transferring a certain amount to special cards with limited ability to use them.
To date, such a program is fully operational only in Moscow. Its essence is that every month the social cards of the capital's residents are transferred fixed amount... It is impossible to cash it out, since the card balance is calculated in points. They act according to the principle gift cards... One point is equivalent to one Russian ruble. Thus, a person has the opportunity to determine his own diet, and not depend on the standard "grocery basket".
At the same time, misuse of the allocated funds is excluded, since points can be spent only on products. However, the use of the card is not mandatory - if a person for some reason does not want to take advantage of this offer, he can still receive food in kind.
Who is the social certificate issued to?
At the moment, in order to take advantage of the opportunity to receive assistance for purchasing food, two conditions must be met:
- Have a Muscovite social card, to which funds will subsequently be transferred.
- Meet the criteria for a low-income family.
In Moscow, families where average income one person is less than the subsistence minimum or exceeds it by no more than 50%. It is issued not for a person, but for a family. Thus, each family is only entitled to one food certificate.
Receiving procedure
To obtain a social certificate, you will need to prepare a package of documents according to the above list.
An application for receiving targeted assistance is submitted to the social service center at the place of residence. The following documents must be submitted along with the application:
- applicant's passport;
- birth certificate of a child (children);
- information on income for 12 months: certificates of salary, receipt of pensions, scholarships, alimony and other types of profit, as well as subsidies for housing and communal services (if any);
- if the parents are unemployed, it is necessary to present work books and certificates from the employment center about payments or about their absence;
- documents certifying that the applicant has benefits: a pension certificate, a certificate of disability, a certificate that the family has many children, a certificate of the loss of a breadwinner, etc.;
- the applicant's social card, to which the electronic application will subsequently be linked;
- SNILS of the applicant.
Within 2 weeks, the employees of the social protection department will consider and, in case of a positive decision, will send the applicant a notice of enrollment on a social card of a certain denomination, which can be spent on the purchase of products. No additional card activation is required.
How to use points
You cannot pay for the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products with a card!
There are no restrictions on the consumption of points within the nominal range. They can be spent at one time, or used to pay for multiple purchases. But the social card is accepted for payment only in the partner stores of the program.
Today these are the stores of the X5 Retail Group: Pyaterochka, Karusel and Perekrestok, as well as the Dixy chain. Thus, the holders of certificates are not tied to a specific point of issue of products, since these chains belong to the category of convenience stores.
Why should poor citizens replenish food ration cards with “their own money”? At least for the following reason: the state promises that a citizen will be able to receive from 30% to 50% of the replenished amount every month - this is a pretty solid profit. But what will happen to personal funds after a month and whether they will burn out along with bonus rubles, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, apparently, has not yet decided itself. Experience of the USSR and foreign countries The dissemination of “cards for the poor” is not at all an innovative solution for a crisis economy. We can say that food ration cards are returning to Russia - a similar system was already in place in the USSR. Food ration cards appeared in the USSR together with the USSR itself - in 1917. The voucher payment system was introduced periodically, but this was not at all connected with the general poverty of Russians (as it is now), but with constant supply crises.
When will grocery cards for the poor in Russia be introduced in 2018?
Attention
According to preliminary data, food cards will be serviced by the Mir payment system.
Thus, from 2018-2019. planned introduction new program support of the low-income population of Russia.
It is about giving people social card for the purchase of fresh food products such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and dairy products.
Info
The innovation is designed to maintain a healthy diet for the population of Russia, to provide assistance to low-income citizens.
Important
The accrued funds can be spent only within one month, then they burn out.
To receive a food card, a citizen needs to document his needy position.
The card is issued at the social security authorities at the place of registration.
It is enough for a family to confirm that its income is less than the subsistence level established in the region of residence.
Military pensioners for Russia and its armed forces
A person receives a plastic card, on which points are credited monthly (1 point = 1 ruble), which can be spent on food - certain domestically produced products. As a rule, these are perishable products: fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, fish, meat.
The list also includes bread, flour, cereals, pasta, sugar, salt, water, eggs, vegetable oil.
The slogan of the developers of the system: "Only fresh and domestic."
Points not spent within a month will expire, and you will not be able to accumulate them. Each year, each holder is entitled to about 10 thousand rubles for food cards (money will be credited monthly). Can replenish the card on its own - when enrolling own funds the owner will receive 30-50% of the deposited amount as a bonus from the budget. For comparison, Americans receive $ 110-130 monthly through food stamps.
Social ration cards for the poor
To do this, a person needs to calculate his income as follows: Sum up all the official income of each family member for the previous three months Wages, pensions, scholarships, etc. are taken into account Divide the amount received by three to determine the monthly family income - Divide the received number by all family members This takes into account children, pensioners.The category of low-income people who will be entitled to food cards include:
- poor citizens;
- large families;
- single mothers;
- unemployed (persons registered at the labor exchange).
Legal framework The main document governing the procedure for assignment and registration food cards- Document of the Ministry of Industry and Trade “Strategy for the Development of Trade of the Russian Federation for 2014-2016.
and the period until 2020 ”.
When will Russia introduce food cards for the poor?
The term “grocery cards” quickly spread in the media and raised a lot of excitement primarily due to negative historical associations: the system itself was first used during the First World War and was later used only in belligerent countries or countries with serious food shortages (and , usually with a socialist system). In fact it comes about the Russian analogue of food stamps - food stamps in the USA for socially unprotected segments of the population. Americans have been using this privilege for more than 50 years, and the number of program participants has almost reached 50 million.
What documents are needed to receive a grocery card?
It is known that control over the distribution of cards will be the responsibility of the social security authorities - a poor citizen should not have a question where to get a food card, because he is probably familiar with the address of the local social security department.
To apply for a benefit, you will have to not only bring binding papers, but also to pass an interview - a kind of "test for lice."
Anyone who receives a food ration card in Russia will be obliged to make every possible effort to find a job (if there is none) - in order to avoid the spread of parasitism.
It is expected that the list of citizens eligible for the benefit will be revised every 6 months.
A poor citizen will have to carry documents confirming his preferential status every six months in social security.
Grocery cards appeared in national history long enough. The time of their appearance was the twenties of the last century. Coupons are a measure of in-kind support for low-income groups of the population. These persons receive affordable food products by cards. It is worth noting that coupons have spread in many countries around the world, including the United States. By the way, the latter began to use coupons in the forties and have not abandoned them to this day. About thirteen percent of Americans use the opportunity given to them and buy food with a special plastic card. It should be noted that such cards are replenished with an insignificant amount. Money, and the direction of their spending is closely monitored by the government.
Social support these days
V modern Russia are trying to revive this form of support for the vulnerable. Thus, the "Care" card has received its distribution, according to which each of the bearers can receive a good discount on food, medicine, and various services. For example, we can take Ryazan, where such a policy showed nice results... More than two hundred and fifty thousand people have already received the "Care" cards.
In the capital, a similar experiment is being carried out through the issuance of electronic certificates. The recipients were about one hundred ninety seven thousand citizens.
Introduction idea unified system food cards appeared in 2015, and it was initiated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. However, desire alone is not enough. In order for the system to work, a detailed consideration of the project and its approval by many bodies, including the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Finance, is necessary.
The situation cleared up in 2017, when approval was obtained from the designated ministries. Thus, the implementation of the project was already planned for the period 17-18 years. At the same time, the deadlines were not met due to the fact that the question arose about the number of those in need to whom new coupons would be issued. So, according to different experts, the figure varied from four to nineteen million people. At the beginning of 2018, it was announced that the project would not be abandoned and the introduction of food certificates would begin in 2019.
At the same time, food certificates are designed not only to make life easier for vulnerable groups of the population, but also to ensure the demand for products of domestic manufacturers. At the same time, a decrease in inflation and a rise in the domestic economy are forecasted.
Social component in the provision of food certificates
In addition to improving the quality of life of low-income citizens, certificates are intended to reduce tensions in society. So, out of twenty-three million citizens with incomes below the subsistence minimum, nineteen million are officially considered poor. It is they who should become the recipients of a new type of in-kind support from the state. However, economists believe that the total number of recipients will still drop to fifteen million people. This, of course, will be enough to revive the market for Russian products and revive competition in it.
Thus, the introduction of food certificates will lead to economic recovery in the country.
Mechanisms of work
Socially vulnerable citizens will receive plastic cards linked to a specific account. This account will receive funds at the rate of ten thousand rubles per year.
At the same time, these funds will not be equated to real money and their use for purposes not provided for this will not be possible. It will resemble a point system. About twenty-seven rubles will be credited to the card per day. It is important to note that unused funds cannot accumulate. That is, if a person did not use these same twenty-seven rubles, they will burn out.
On food cards it will be possible to buy products that fall into a special list approved by the Ministry of Health. This list includes foods such as cereals, sugar, salt, butter, groceries, milk, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, eggs, meat and fish. Naturally, a person will not be able to purchase alcohol and cigarettes with cards.
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