Pension Payments for Displaced Persons Unblocked
Ukraine has resumed pension payments for internally displaced persons (IDPs), which had been suspended due to an identification requirement. This suspension was a temporary measure under Government Decree No. 299 for those who had not completed the mandatory procedure. The Ministry of Social Policy clarified that the hold affected several types of payments, including:
- disability pensions,
- survivor benefits,
- old-age and service pensions,
- insurance payments,
- and lifetime financial support.
The payments were reinstated following public outcry and a formal demand from the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights. In response, the Minister of Social Policy canceled a scheduled meeting with the Commissioner. Ukrainian law requires citizens from occupied territories or those residing abroad to verify their identity and declare that they are not receiving payments from the aggressor state.
How to Restore Your Payments
Once identification is completed, pension payments are fully restored, with all missed funds being paid retroactively. Citizens can use several methods to resume their benefits:
- the Diia portal,
- the website of the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU),
- a video identification procedure,
- or by visiting a service center in person.
This is a constitutional right of citizens. We have once again demonstrated our ability to swiftly resolve problems that the government periodically creates for us.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights
This move is critical for the social stability of Ukraine, as millions have been displaced since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. Unblocking these pensions is a vital step in supporting the well-being of a significant number of Ukrainians facing hardship due to forced displacement. The transparency and accessibility of the identification process underscore the state's efforts to improve social services and protect the rights of its most vulnerable citizens.
Following identification, the pension is fully restored, and all unpaid funds are accrued.
Denys Uliutin