The provisions of the updated Law “On Social Services” came into force in Belarus

7 July 2024

On July 1, 2024, the provisions of the Law of the Republic of Belarus of December 13, 2023 No. 318-3 “On Amendments to Laws on Social Services and Social Payments”, developed on the basis of a systematic analysis of current challenges and trends in the demographic aging of the population of the republic and the growing demand for social services, came into force.

Thus, the document established new principles of social services aimed at creating conditions for the longest possible stay of recipients of social services at their place of residence through the organization of their social services, taking into account the degree of health loss, the equipment of the living space and the presence of a social environment.

Among the most significant innovations of the Law:

• A long-term care system was implemented – a set of measures to support older citizens and people with disabilities who have lost the ability to self-care and have a special need for outside help. Support will be provided at home in cooperation with social and medical services. The organization of such care will maximize the length of stay of citizens in a familiar, favorable home environment.
• A mechanism was implemented to assess the need for social services through a set of “social indications”, where, along with the state of health, the living conditions of a citizen will be taken into account (the presence of a barrier-free environment, amenities, hot water, an elevator), as well as his social environment and other factors. As a result of such an assessment, the person will be offered an optimal personal set of social services.
• Provision was made for the organization of transportation for elderly citizens and people with disabilities receiving social services from day care departments of social service institutions, who due to health conditions cannot use public transport or live in settlements where there is no regular transport service.
• Possibility of receiving social services and providing them remotely was provided, etc.

Improving the social service system makes an important contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 3, 10, 11 and the other SDGs by the Republic of Belarus.

Print version