After being forcibly displaced from Artsakh, Mariam Badasyan was trying to start a new life in Armenia. However, one day she unexpectedly faced a problem: the childcare benefit for her little daughter, Nane, had been discontinued, and money had been debited from her bank account under the description “overpaid benefit.” The action had been taken without any prior notification or explanation, leaving Mariam uncertain and confused. She subsequently learned from the Social Security Service (SSS) that the reason was her lack of registration in the Republic of Armenia, which was even more difficult for her to understand.
Having learned about the “armrights.am” platform, operated by the Armenian Lawyers’ Association and designed to provide legal assistance to forcibly displaced persons, Mariam contacted the platform and received free legal assistance.
The ALA lawyers began examining the case. It soon became clear that the decisions made concerning Mariam were not only incorrect but also unlawful:
- She had valid registration in the Republic of Armenia during the relevant period.
- She had never been notified that her registration had been cancelled.
- Her right to be heard and the fundamental principles of administrative procedure had been violated.
The reasoned applications prepared by the lawyers were sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which acknowledged that the notification intended for Mariam had not been delivered due to an error on its part. This omission had become the main reason for the discontinuation of the benefit.
Taking these circumstances into account, the ALA lawyers applied to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, requesting a full review of the case and a legal assessment of the violations committed during the administrative proceedings.
The Outcome: Justice Restored
The substantiated arguments and legal position presented by the lawyers provided the basis for reopening and re-examining the case by the relevant state authorities. The final decision fully restored the individual’s rights:
- The provision of Nane’s childcare benefit was reinstated.
- The recovery of the money was declared unlawful.
- The AMD 40,203 returned to the state budget was refunded.
- The discontinuation of the benefit was deemed unlawful.
Mariam notes: “It wasn’t the money that mattered, but the fact that there was an organisation willing to listen and help when I didn’t know what to do.”
This case demonstrates that appropriate legal assistance and a professional approach can resolve even problems that initially seem almost impossible to overcome.
Armrights.am continues to be a trusted platform for people forcibly displaced from Artsakh, helping them protect their social and legal rights and rebuild their lives with dignity.