IDPs pensioners massively left without pensions in January: Lubinets

The beginning of the year turned into an unexpected halt of pensions for many pensioners among internally displaced persons. In January, the Pension Fund of Ukraine stopped payments to those who did not pass additional confirmation that they do not receive a pension from the Russian authorities. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reports this writes.

To maintain pension payments, it was suggested that pensioners independently go through the procedure via the PFU web portal - log in to their personal cabinet and confirm their data using "Diia.Signature". However, a significant portion of the elderly do not have smartphones, electronic signatures, or digital service skills, so they physically went to the fund's offices.

IDP pensions in 2026: why the problem arose

As noted by the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, thousands of people learned about the new requirements only after the funds did not arrive in their accounts. As a result, this caused queues, panic, and an overload of the work of territorial units of the PFU.

According to him, the problem lies not with the pensioners, but with the state's approach, which essentially shifted the responsibility for verifying information onto the people themselves, without ensuring proper communication.

Pension payments for IDPs: what they propose to change

The Ombudsman emphasized that the state already has the necessary IDP registries, data on residence, and other databases, so it should not force people to go through complicated additional procedures. He appealed to the government with the demand:

• to extend the confirmation deadlines for pensioners;
• to conduct a full-fledged information campaign;
• to use existing state registries without additional verification of citizens.

Lubinets emphasized that for most pensioners, the pension is the only source of income, and the state is obliged to guarantee this right regardless of a person's digital skills.

Let us remind you, the Pension Fund started charity online: 70% of the funds will be received by the selected pensioner.