Do people who have received refugee or temporary protection status continue to receive social payments in Ukraine?

Citizens of Ukraine who have moved abroad and have been granted refugee status or temporary protection have the right to continue receiving social and pension payments from the state of Ukraine.

Conditions for receiving pension payments:

1. If payments were made through banking institutions:

• Payments are transferred to a bank card and can be used abroad without any changes.

2. If payments were made through Ukrposhta JSC branches:

• You need to change the method of receiving payments to crediting through banking institutions.

How to change the method of receiving payments:

1. The application is submitted in electronic form through the electronic services portal of the Pension Fund of Ukraine: https: //portal.pfu.gov.ua/.
2. Procedure:

• Log in to your personal account using a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES).
• In the section "On pension provision", go to the subsection "Making changes to the pension file".
• Select the tab "Application for change of pension payment method".
• Fill out the application and send it electronically.

In addition to pensions, citizens who have travelled abroad and received refugee status or temporary protection continue to receive other social benefits, including

1. Assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs).
2. Unemployment benefits.
3. Payments to large families, low-income families, single mothers, etc.

Conditions for receiving other social benefits:

a. If payments were received through banking institutions:

• Payments continue to be credited to the bank card and can be used abroad.

b. If payments were made through Ukrposhta JSC:

• You need to change the method of receipt to a bank account.

c. Unemployment benefit:

• The payment is maintained if the person is officially registered as unemployed in Ukraine and reports his/her stay abroad through the employment authorities.

How to change the way you receive other social benefits:

a. Through the portal of the Pension Fund of Ukraine:

• Use your personal account on the Pension Fund of Ukraine e-services portal: https: //portal.pfu.gov.ua/.
• Log in with a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) or BankID.
• Fill out the appropriate application for changing the method of receiving payments.

b. Through the ASC or social security authorities:

• Contact the nearest Administrative Service Centre (ASC) or social security department to change the way you receive your benefits

For more information on payments:

• Contact the hotline of the Pension Fund or social security authorities:
• Pension Fund: 0 800 503 753
• Social benefits: number of the relevant local authority.

Special conditions:

In case of prolonged stay abroad, the social security authorities may require proof of the relevance of the circumstances that entitle you to receive benefits (e.g. IDP status).

Important:

• To clarify questions about social benefits, you can contact your local Pension Fund of Ukraine office or the hotline.