Bill No. 15094: Revised Conditions for Social Assistance
A new legislative proposal, Bill No. 15094, fundamentally changes the rules for receiving basic social assistance in Ukraine. Able-bodied citizens aged 18 to 60 will now have their payments linked to actively seeking employment and cooperating with the State Employment Service. Crucially, if a recipient refuses a suitable job offer or training without a valid reason, the entire family's benefits may be terminated. This reform aligns with broader efforts in many countries to make welfare systems more active and employment-focused.
The core objective of the bill is to motivate citizens to find work. Every recipient of basic aid will be required to demonstrate active job-seeking efforts; a failure to do so can result in reduced or canceled state support. All able-bodied family members must also engage with the Employment Service, emphasizing a collective responsibility in the pursuit of employment.
Introduction of a Case Management System
A key innovation is the introduction of a case management system, where each beneficiary will be assigned a personal social manager. This manager will assess the individual's situation and develop a step-by-step plan to overcome their specific crisis. The recipient will then sign a tripartite agreement with the state and their assigned social manager, formalizing their commitment to the plan.
“People could sit on these payments for years without even trying to find a job. Moreover, it encouraged shadow employment.”
Iryna Poliakova
The social managers are also tasked with providing necessary support to address specific barriers to employment. For example:
- If a mother cannot work because she has no one to care for her child, the social manager must help arrange a place in a preschool.
- If a man lacks in-demand skills, the manager will organize free retraining courses.
Bill No. 15094 aims not only to reduce the number of people receiving aid without actively seeking work but also to create conditions for their social adaptation and integration into the labor market.
By passing this bill, the Ukrainian government seeks to activate its social policy, specifically targeting support for employable citizens in their job search. This approach is expected to reduce unemployment and foster a greater sense of social responsibility among beneficiaries. The implementation of the case management system reflects a growing focus on individual needs, which could significantly improve the effectiveness of social programs.
As Ukraine implements these new welfare regulations, it’s important to consider the broader implications of linking social assistance to employment. For instance, a recent proposal suggests aligning basic aid with the official living wage, which could further reshape the welfare landscape. To explore this potential shift in policy, read more about the proposed changes here.