Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, has clarified the main grounds on which internally displaced persons (IDPs) may lose their right to state assistance. According to him, key factors include exceeding the maximum aggregate family income, having large savings in bank accounts, or making significant purchases. At the same time, the Ombudsman emphasized that the authorities conducting the checks are obliged to take into account the specific circumstances of each family rather than relying solely on formal indicators. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to Lubinets.
Income threshold and exceptions for vulnerable categories
For a significant portion of IDPs, the right to assistance directly depends on the family's income level. According to the Ombudsman's explanation, the average monthly aggregate income per family member must not exceed 10,380 hryvnias. This specific figure serves as a benchmark when assessing need. At the same time, Lubinets noted that for certain vulnerable IDP categories, payments may continue regardless of income — the law provides such exceptions to ensure that the most protected groups are not left without support.
What state authorities actually check
During the eligibility check, authorities take into account not only income but also the family's financial standing, including the presence of deposits and major acquisitions, as well as the individual circumstances of a specific household. This approach is intended to help distinguish between those who are truly in need and those whose financial situation no longer meets the criteria for state support. The Ombudsman emphasizes that the assessment must be comprehensive rather than reduced to a single numerical indicator.
Formal compliance with criteria is not a ground for refusal
Lubinets placed special emphasis on the fact that formal exceeding of the threshold or the presence of savings in itself does not constitute a legal ground for refusing or terminating payments. Data in state registries, according to him, may be incomplete or contain errors. Therefore, a decision to deny or terminate assistance must be based on verified data, statutory exceptions, and documents provided by the individual themselves. This is essentially a procedural requirement: any refusal must be well-founded and substantiated, rather than automatic.
New IDP law and potential changes from 2027
Rules for displaced persons have been actively changing recently. On October 22, a new IDP law came into force, updating the registration procedure for displaced persons and approaches to their support; RBC-Ukraine previously explained the circumstances under which IDP status can be automatically revoked. Separately, the Ombudsman pointed to the prospect of increased assistance: starting in 2027, payments for displaced persons may increase, as the Parliament's Budget Committee supported an instruction to the government to work out higher payments. Thus, the support system is undergoing restructuring, and it is important for citizens to monitor current criteria and documents to justifiably defend their right to assistance.
