Is it possible to pay out the maternity benefits directly through the Social Insurance Fund?

Presently the employer pays out the maternity benefits. However such procedure will be changed soon. Maternity benefits will be paid directly through the Social Insurance Fund of the RF pass over the employer. Since the 1st of July 2011 the Government Decree of the RF dated 21.04.2011 No. 294 has come into effect and approves the Regulations of granting and payment particulars in 2011 for the insured party of insurance coverage including the maternity in constituents of the Russian Federation which take part in pilot project. According to the pilot project to get the benefits directly through the Social Insurance Fund of the RF the employee has to forward the application to the employer with the specified documents attached, the employer forwards the mentioned documents to the Social Insurance Fund of the RF and the Social Insurance Fund of the RF checks these documents and arranges the payment of the benefit to the employee’s bank account or via the postal transfer.

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