Updated Legislation on Internally Displaced Persons
Starting October 22, 2023, Ukraine enacts Law No. 4924, introducing major reforms affecting internally displaced persons (IDPs). This legislation overhauls the process for obtaining IDP status and accessing social benefits. A significant update is the elimination of physical IDP certificates, replaced by digital extracts from a centralized database and personal online accounts for displaced individuals. Certificates issued before this date will remain valid.
Housing Allowances and Eligibility Criteria
The housing allowance program has been extended for a sixth six-month period, maintaining payment levels of approximately 2,000 UAH per adult and 3,000 UAH per child or person with disabilities. However, recipients must now undergo an income and asset verification. To qualify, the average income per family member must not exceed 10,380 UAH. If the family’s average income surpasses this threshold, the entire household will lose eligibility for payments.
Automatic continuation of benefits applies to the following groups:
- retirees based on age;
- individuals with first- or second-group disabilities;
- orphans;
- families with children who have disabilities.
For pensioners, only pension income is considered. If their pension falls below 10,380 UAH, payments continue automatically. Nonetheless, allowances may be suspended if savings exceed 100,000 UAH, or if the displaced person acquires land, a vehicle, or foreign currency valued over 100,000 UAH. Additionally, owning a vehicle less than five years old may also lead to suspension of benefits.
Children born after displacement will no longer receive automatic IDP status from October 22 onward, though existing certificates for children already registered remain valid. The 'Home in the Village' initiative continues to offer free housing for up to three years, with possible extensions. Homeowners are required to pay only utility bills. Meanwhile, able-bodied family members must secure official employment, register with the employment center, or establish a private business (FOP) within three months of moving in.
A draft law submitted to Parliament in early September proposes transferring dormitories to local communities but is still in early review stages. Expert Irina Polyakova noted,
“The government has yet to finalize the detailed regulations needed for implementation. Before October 22, the Cabinet must approve numerous separate decrees.”She also advised,
“If your family includes a child born after displacement who has not yet been registered, act quickly. Legal experts recommend completing registration before October 22, while the old rules apply. After that date, obtaining IDP status for the child will become more difficult.”
In summary, the new IDP law introduces substantial changes to registration and benefit programs, requiring displaced persons to carefully review these updates to avoid complications.
This legislative change reflects the government's effort to modernize assistance frameworks by digitizing documentation and streamlining procedures. While transitioning from paper to electronic records aims to reduce bureaucracy and improve access, the stricter income and asset checks may pose challenges for some displaced families facing potential loss of financial aid.