After a service member is wounded, killed or goes missing, the family faces not only grief but also a complicated procedure: several types of payments, commissions, long lists of documents and sometimes disputes between relatives over who is entitled to the money.
We explain which payments are possible in your situation, collect and submit documents, correspond with the unit, the Territorial Recruitment Centre (TCC/ТЦК) and the Ministry of Defence, and challenge refusals or delays in court. We check the amounts and procedure for payments against the current wording of the regulations on the date you contact us.
When to seek help
- A service member has been killed, and the relatives do not know where to start with the one-off cash benefit
- A service member is considered missing, and the family is not receiving their military pay
- An injury was sustained or a disability related to the defence of the Homeland was established
- The commission refused the payment or returned the documents without consideration
- A dispute has arisen between family members over the one-off cash benefit
- Documents were submitted long ago, but there is still no decision on the payment
What the lawyer does
Identifying the payments due
We analyse the circumstances, the service member's status and the family composition, and draw up a list of payments you may be entitled to, with references to specific provisions.
Collecting and submitting documents
We prepare applications, obtain certificates and extracts, and check that the package is complete, to reduce the risk of the documents being returned for revision.
Missing person status
We help enter information into the Unified Register of Persons Missing under Special Circumstances and obtain the documents the family needs for payments.
Monitoring the review of documents
We track the documents at the unit, the TCC and the Ministry of Defence, and send advocate's requests and complaints if the review is delayed.
Challenging a refusal in court
We prepare a claim to the administrative court against an unlawful refusal or inaction and represent the family's interests until judgment.
Documents to prepare
- Death certificate or a document confirming missing person status
- Documents proving family relationships: marriage and birth certificates
- Notice from the unit or the TCC of death, injury or disappearance
- Certificates on the circumstances of the injury, the Military Medical Commission (MMC/ВЛК) decision, disability documents
- Passport and taxpayer identification number (RNOKPP/РНОКПП) of each family member claiming a payment
- Correspondence with the unit, the TCC or the Ministry of Defence, refusal decisions
What you get
- A list of payments you may be entitled to, with an explanation of the grounds
- A complete package of applications and documents
- Advocate's requests, complaints and, if necessary, a court claim
- Regular reports on the status of the review
Frequently asked questions
Which relatives are entitled to the one-off cash benefit in the event of death?
The range of recipients and how the benefit is divided are determined by the law on the social protection of service members and Cabinet of Ministers resolutions. These are usually the spouse, children and parents, but the conditions for certain categories have changed. We will check who the recipients are in your situation under the current wording.
Does the family receive money while the service member is considered missing?
The law provides for the military pay of a service member who has gone missing or been captured to be paid to family members until their fate is established. This requires documents from the unit and confirmation of the status. If payments are not coming through, we find out why and challenge the inaction.
What if another relative is also claiming the payment?
Such disputes are resolved under the current distribution procedure and, if necessary, in court. We represent only one party, so we first check for any conflict of interest. We then assess your position and suggest options, including an agreement without going to court.