How to obtain the status of a child affected by war
In Ukraine, children affected by war are entitled to special status that offers priority admission to kindergartens and free meals in educational institutions. Access to benefits may be expanded in the future.
Who can obtain the status of a child affected by war?
The status can be obtained by a person who was under 18 years of age (the age of majority) at the time of the war and:
- suffered injuries, concussions or mutilation;
- suffered physical or sexual violence;
- was kidnapped or illegally taken out of Ukraine;
- were involved in the activities of paramilitary or armed groups;
- were illegally detained, including in captivity;
- suffered psychological violence.
The Cabinet of Ministers expanded the list of criteria for obtaining status
On 1 September 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine reviewed and added two more eligibility criteria for obtaining the status of a child affected by war:
• If the parents or one of them, or another legal representative, went missing under special circumstances or died (were killed) due to injuries, concussions or disabilities sustained as a result of military actions and armed conflicts on the territory of Ukraine or abroad.
• The child was deprived of parental care as a result of military actions and armed conflicts.
What documents can be used to confirm that a child meets these criteria?
To confirm and subsequently obtain the status, it will be enough to provide one of the following documents:
- death certificate or an extract from the register of state registration of death;
- document confirming the fact of family (kinship) relations (in case of death or disappearance of the child's parents or one of them);
- an extract from the Unified Register of Persons Missing in Special Circumstances, court decisions, etc.
How to obtain the status?
To obtain the status, you need to contact the nearest guardianship and custody authority and provide the following documents:
- Application for the status of a child affected by military operations and armed conflicts.
- An identity document of the applicant.
- Consent to the processing of personal data.
- Birth certificate of the child (if necessary).
- One of the documents confirming the right to obtain the status.
The lawyers at PravoVsim platform can help you obtain the status of a child affected by war and provide support on other issues.
