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Sanatorium Vouchers in Almaty: A Breakdown for War Veterans, Seniors, and Disabled Individuals
Welcome to our guide on obtaining free or discounted sanatorium vouchers in Almaty, Kazakhstan! Let's tackle it like pros.
Who's Getting a Free Ride?
In Almaty, eligible citizens can be broadly categorized into two groups. The first group includes individuals whose income doesn't impact their eligibility, and the second group consists of those with lower incomes.
Income's off the table (for now)
A sizeable portion of citizens falls into the first group, with their eligibility connected to the Great Patriotic War. This group is headlined by WWII veterans, who not only have their income overlooked but receive 100% financing for their vouchers, all covered by the Akimat.
For other individuals belonging to the first group, they need to contribute 25% of their pension (excluding the state basic pension payment), and they include:
- Labor veterans
- Unremarried widows of war warriors
- Unremarried spouses of deceased war invalids
- Individuals earning specific medals or recognized as invalids (except due to criminal causes)
- Former child prisoners of concentration camps or other detention centers
- Citizens who worked in Leningrad during the blockade and were awarded specific medals
- Veterans of combat actions in other countries who have reached pension age
Budget Matters
Seniors in the second group must have incomes below a specific threshold (currently 3x the minimum living wage in 2023) since their income is taken into account, and they contribute 25% of their pension towards the voucher cost.
There's also a special group of individuals accompanying children with disabilities or first-group disabled adults for treatment at sanatoriums. Their income doesn't matter, and they won't be charged, but they're not provided with vouchers in the traditional sense—the Akimat only covers their accommodation and meals during their stay with their ward.
Time to Get Paperwork Ready!
The documents needed vary based on the individual's category. Seniors, for instance, might be asked to provide details about their income. Here's a list of other documents required from seniors and those belonging to other categories:
- Identification document
- Form No 068/ю
- Additional documents required by veterans as specified in Article 9 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Veterans"
- A document stating the size of the pension for individuals partially responsible for payment
- Birth certificates, guardianship documents, power of attorney, and a voucher for accompanying persons of disabled individuals
All documents should be submitted to the district department of employment and social programs in Almaty where the applicant resides.
Got a Bump in the Road? No Worries!
If an Almaty resident can't take the trip due to a valid reason (illness or death of a close relative), the reservation should be returned to the district office, and they'll find another suitable candidate. If you, yourself, can't make it on this occasion, you'll be given priority for a later trip.
Is Cash Compensation an Option?
Yes, if you purchase a ticket to a sanatorium with your own money and meet certain criteria, you can request cash compensation after returning from the sanatorium. To learn more about this process, visit the Decision of Almaty City Maslikhat from July 23, 2015 No. 347 (with amendments) "On Approving the Rules for Providing Social Assistance, Determining the Amounts, and Defining the List of Certain Categories of Needy Citizens in Almaty City".
Bonus Reads:
- Cost of Resting in Kazakhstani Sanatoriums
- Kazakhstani Citizens Over 50 Can Get Free Professional Courses on Skills Enbek Platform
- How Kazakhstani Citizens Can Get Free Housing
In conclusion, Almaty's social assistance system provides tailored support to war veterans, seniors, and disabled individuals who require sanatorium treatments. The rules, eligibility criteria, and documentation requirements may differ for each group, but Almaty's district department of employment and social programs can help you navigate the system accordingly.
individuals within the first group, who are war veterans and several other categories mentioned, are exempted from contributing to the cost of their sanatorium vouchers in personal-finance terms, as their expenses are covered by the Akimat in the business of social welfare.
On the other hand, seniors in the second group with lower incomes, contributing 25% of their pension towards the voucher cost, are still eligible for vouchers but must comply with the income thresholds and documentation requirements.
