Extended Deadlines for Ukrainian Pensioners: New Application and ID Verification Dates
The Ukrainian government has granted pensioners facing the risk of payment suspension or blocked bank cards in early 2026 new deadlines to submit applications and complete in-person identity verification. Specifically, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a decree extending the deadline for submitting a declaration of non-receipt of a pension from the Russian Federation to April 1, 2026. Furthermore, the relevant parliamentary committee of the Verkhovna Rada has recommended moving the final deadline for completing physical identification to July 1, 2026. These extensions are part of ongoing efforts to manage the complex fallout from the ongoing conflict for vulnerable citizens.
Many pensioners residing in temporarily occupied territories or who have moved abroad have already had their payments suspended since January 1 due to the absence of the required declaration. A system failure in the identification process could also lead to these payments being blocked. The declaration can be submitted remotely via the web portal of the Pension Fund of Ukraine by selecting the 'Remote Notification' option. Payments blocked since January may be automatically restored if parliament supports the corresponding decision.
According to official information, funds for January and February are accumulating in pensioners' accounts. Once the declaration is submitted or identification is completed, the Pension Fund of Ukraine is obligated to pay the full amount of arrears from the date payments were stopped. Additionally, Oschadbank has officially announced an extension of the validity of all payment cards until June 30, 2026, which should ease pensioners' access to their funds.
Supporting Pensioners in Challenging Circumstances
Acknowledging the difficult situation many pensioners face, government officials stated:
"We have taken into account the real circumstances in which pensioners find themselves—difficult conditions, life in occupied territories, or forced relocation. Our task is to ensure people do not lose their pensions due to formal reasons."However, according to Iryna Poliakova, the situation remains tense:
"The Pension Fund cannot keep up, Oschadbank is overwhelmed, and people are simply in despair."She added: "The money has not disappeared; it is currently frozen in your accounts."
An initiative has also been announced to create mobile teams that would travel to the homes of citizens with limited mobility to conduct identification, which could be a crucial support measure for this category of pensioner. This would simplify the process for those unable to visit the relevant institutions in person.
These deadline extensions for applications and identification are vital for Ukrainian pensioners caught in difficult circumstances, providing extra time for those who, due to their situation, could not complete the necessary procedures on time. As many pensioners struggle to access their funds, such initiatives aim to reduce financial hardship and improve their welfare. Thus, the government is attempting to address the problems faced by this vulnerable segment of the population and simplify the process of receiving pension payments.