The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine: Simplification of procedures for obtaining disability status, access to prosthetics, support for the heating season and changes in mortgages and social services
1.The Cabinet Facilitates Process of Obtaining Status of Persons with Disabilities as a Result of War
Background: According to the Decree №306 of the Cabinet, civilians who became persons with disabilities due to explosive ordnance1 can establish a causal link between the war and their injuries and obtain a status of a person with a disability as a result of war. The status guarantees additional social protection and benefits, such as increased pensions, utility payment privileges, etc. The status may only be obtained by persons injured within areas experiencing active hostilities.2
Recent developments: On 15 October 2024, the Cabinet adopted Decree №1186, facilitating the procedure for obtaining the status and clarifying the territorial principle referring to the health damage, obtained on areas under occupation.
2. The Cabinet Facilitates Access to Maintenance of the Prosthesis
Background information: According to the Minister of Social Policy, from January to July 2023, 58,852 people applied for auxiliary means of rehabilitation, 20,737 of them were prosthetically fitted, and 11,126 people have already received prostheses.5
Recent developments: On 29 October 2024, the Cabinet adopted Decree №1232, amending the procedure for replacing an important part of the prosthesis - the prosthetic socket6. According to the simplified procedure, if the cost of replacing the prosthetic socket does not exceed 15% of the maximum cost of the prosthesis7, such replacement is carried out based on a decision of the enterprise that provides replacement8. No additional documents from the medical and social expert commission (MSEC) or the military medical commission (MMC) are required. The adopted amendments will significantly speed up the process of obtaining a new prosthetic socket.
The procedure for providing rehabilitation aids to military personnel with amputated limbs has also been simplified. According to the amendments, such persons are issued a lifetime referral for rehabilitation tools.
NB: If the cost of such replacement exceeds 15 per cent of the maximum price of the rehabilitation means, such replacement is carried out on the basis of the decision of the MSEC or the MMC.
3.The Cabinet Provides Additional Support for the Purchase of Solid Fuel for the Heating Season
Recent developments: On 15 October 2024, the Cabinet adopted Decree №1169, establishing additional support for the purchase of solid fuel for the 2024/2025 and subsequent heating seasons.
NB: The amount of additional support is not included in the calculation of the total monthly (annual) income of persons.
4. The Cabinet Changed Criteria for Affordable Mortgage
Background information: Private Joint Stock Company “Ukrainian Financial Housing Company” was established to develop and implement an affordable mortgage mechanism. In particular, to ensure possibility of obtaining a mortgage loan of up to 7% per annum for up to 20 years with the involvement of banks through state intermediation. The affordable mortgage is accessible for citizens of Ukraine, including medical workers, teachers, scientists, war veterans and their families, IDPs and other Ukrainians who do not own residential property.
Recent developments: on 4 October 2024, the Cabinet adopted Decree №1136, amending criteria that mortgage property must meet. The amendments have significantly extended the list of property that becomes available so that borrowers are having more options to choose the property.
5. Minimum Unemployment Benefit Has Been Revised
Background information: On 20 October 2023, the Fund of State Social Insurance for Unemployment increased the minimum amount of unemployment benefits for the first time since 2020.
Recent developments: on 19 September 2024, the Fund of State Social Insurance for Unemployment adopted Decree №74, establishing new amount as a minimum unemployment benefit starting from 01 October 2024.
6. The Ministry Establishes Maximum Amount of “Money that Follows the Person”
Background information: On 6 August 2024, the Cabinet adopted Decree №888, introducing a pilot project on the provision of inpatient care and supported living services to elderly internally displaced persons (IDPs) and persons with disabilities. The project is based on the principle of "money follows the person".
Recent developments: On 17 October 2024, the Order of the Ministry of Social Policy №386-H12 entered into force, establishing cost of services provided within the pilot project on organising the provision of social services to elderly IDPs and persons with disabilities on the principle of "money follows the person":
The maximum cost of services is an important amount for determining the amount of social services compensation provided to a person. The compensation cannot exceed the maximum cost.
This Legal Alert was produced under the project funded by the European Union through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.
Some of the terminology used in this issue of the Legal Alert was taken from draft laws or current legislation. The contents of this brochure are the sole responsibility of the author/authors. The views expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of the European Union or the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). Neither the European Commission nor the DRC is responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
12 The Order was adopted on 21 August 2024 with further amendments on 13 September 2024.