Social Policy Minister Addresses Key Issues for Displaced Persons and Pensioners
Denys Ulutin, the Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity, has provided details on several pressing social matters. These include the freezing of pension payments for internally displaced persons (IDPs), long queues at Ukraine's Pension Fund (PFU), the departure of men to Europe, and plans for the potential return of citizens. The minister stated that at the start of 2025, thousands of IDP pensioners faced suspended payments. The deadline for submitting a declaration to confirm they were not receiving a pension from the Russian Federation was extended to April 1, and all affected individuals submitted the required documents by that date.
In 2025, the ministry issued over 4,000 explanatory materials regarding this situation through various communication channels. Denys Ulutin noted that
"This verification program has been in place since 2014. Everyone undergoes verification at a bank. It is standard practice."He also remarked that
"A small portion of those who completed identification did not provide confirmation of non-receipt of payments from the Russian Federation—questions arise specifically about them. Therefore, I do not see significant problems in this standard control mechanism."This verification process is a long-standing measure to prevent dual pension payments from both Ukraine and Russia, a critical issue since the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Pension Fund Queues and Male Departure to Europe
Regarding queues at the PFU, the minister reported that complaints emerged after the responsibility for 39 types of state social assistance payments was transferred from administrative service centers to the PFU.
"Queues are not everywhere—the workload depends on the city, day, and time. The PFU regularly publishes information about centers where the queue exceeds 20 people. The simplest way to avoid queuing is to book an appointment online via the PFU portal,"Ulutin stated.
Furthermore, the minister commented on the departure of men to Europe, noting that according to European data, approximately 400,000 individuals have left Ukraine since borders were opened for men under 23.
"I cannot confirm or deny this because we do not keep such statistics. It is likely a certain pressure and cause for concern for EU countries,"he added.
Plans for the Return of Ukrainians and Digital Solutions
In the context of Ukrainians returning, Ulutin cited data from international partners suggesting that around 2 million people could return to Ukraine within a year if a ceasefire were established.
"The decisive factor for people's return is safety,"the minister emphasized. His ministry has at its disposal over 1,100 temporary accommodation sites and more than 80,000 places for internally displaced persons. Communities have been allocated 1 billion hryvnias for setting up temporary shelters.
The ministry is currently developing a digital solution to organize the entire journey and all related services. This will allow people to see their specific destination and pre-register in case evacuation or other forms of assistance are needed.
"The decision has already been made,"Denys Ulutin noted, underscoring the importance of these changes for supporting Ukrainians under difficult circumstances.
These comments from the minister highlight the relevance of the social issues faced by internally displaced persons and pensioners in Ukraine. The freezing of pensions and queues at the Pension Fund underscore the challenges confronting social services and the need for more efficient organization. The development of digital solutions could significantly ease access to necessary services and reduce the burden on social institutions, which is critically important against the backdrop of the current situation in the country.
In light of the recent developments regarding pension payments for displaced Ukrainians, it's important to note that the Pension Fund has introduced an online service to verify work history. This initiative aims to streamline the verification process and address some of the challenges faced by IDPs, particularly in confirming their eligibility for pensions amidst the ongoing complexities of the situation.