Natalia Yurlova, a lawyer for the public organization "Donbas SOS," refuted the information and emphasized that discussions are currently underway to expand the categories of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) eligible for continued assistance and to introduce a mechanism for providing assistance for rental housing.
According to her, displaced persons who are evacuating, moving for the first time or repeatedly from the combat zone or temporarily occupied territories, and those who are seeking assistance for the first time, are entitled to payments.
At the same time, their income level, pension level, or involvement in other vulnerable categories do not matter.
The main requirements applied when making decisions about assistance provision are displacement (or repeated displacement) and the lack of housing in an area not designated as a combat zone (more than 13.65 square meters).
"Even if a person (family) currently relocating from the combat zone had the opportunity to purchase a car with a production year of less than 5 years, or purchased a land plot, or incurred other expenses exceeding 100,000 hryvnias, they still have the right to assistance, but it is necessary that more than 3 months have passed since the date of such purchase," Mrs. Natalia noted.
The human rights activist also pointed out that assistance is currently provided to the family, so one family member (authorized person) should apply, indicating all family members in the application. Payments will be made to the account of this person.
"It cannot be said that Ukraine is not interested in its citizens, quite the opposite. Discussions are currently underway to expand the categories of IDPs eligible for continued assistance for the next 6 months. Additionally, a mechanism for providing subsidies for rental housing is planned to be introduced. Because it is understood that displaced persons primarily use the assistance provided by the state to cover rent," the lawyer emphasizes.
According to her, recently many IDP families have been turning to the "Donbas SOS" organization, whose living assistance payments were stopped since March. Some cases are legitimate, based on the regulations governing assistance provision, while others are not. In such cases, Natalia Yurlova recommends that people seek assistance from lawyers. At Donbas SOS, they not only provide consultations over the phone but also, if necessary, help to draft applications/complaints to social protection authorities.
"Indeed, there are categories of people whose assistance has been discontinued, but they belong to vulnerable groups and cannot afford to rent accommodation or support their families without state assistance. For example, these are single mothers who work or cannot work because they take care of a child. Their income level does not exceed 9,444 hryvnias per family member, but they are not entitled to continued assistance because they relocated before January 1, 2022, and did not relocate again. According to current regulations, the same family that relocated (or relocated again) after January 1, 2022, is entitled to continued assistance. Therefore, significant improvement in the situation of such families will be achieved by amending the rules for providing assistance, specifically by removing the linkage to the relocation date," the lawyer explained.
It's worth reminding that a year ago, Oksana Zholnovych warned that the Government was considering providing assistance only to vulnerable populations and those who had recently relocated. Therefore, changes in the procedure for assistance payments were not unexpected. Ultimately, the country is working on expanding the categories of people eligible for financial assistance while encouraging financial independence for the employable part of the population.
Furthermore, people who have recently evacuated from the occupied territories will receive payments for 6 months with further extension for vulnerable groups.
