Law No. 4924-IX “On ensuring the rights and freedoms of internally displaced persons (IDPs)” has entered into force, the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons of Ukraine reported on 23 October.
The document establishes a new registration system for IDPs, assessment of their needs, housing search procedures and mechanisms to involve them in community life. Entry into force does not mean immediate launch of new digital services — these will be rolled out gradually after the necessary government decisions are adopted.
Existing certificates and registration procedures remain unchanged
Certificates for internally displaced persons issued previously remain valid and do not need to be changed. Current procedures for obtaining status and receiving assistance remain in place.
People applying for IDP status for the first time can apply through Diia, Centres for Administrative Services (CNAP) or social protection authorities. In future, instead of a paper certificate it will be possible to use an electronic extract from the Unified Information Database on IDPs once the relevant service is operational.
Registration system and assessment of individual needs
The law provides for a shift to a registration system that will serve not only for registration and benefit assignment but also to determine the needs of displaced persons, evaluate the effectiveness of support and plan social programmes. Assessment of individual needs should take into account the situation of a person or family, including needs for housing, social services or employment.
A single information system for housing for IDPs is planned, into which local self-government bodies will enter data on available real-estate units. This should make it easier to find housing taking the family’s needs into account.
Displaced persons will be able to take a more active part in public hearings and local programmes, and proposals from IDP councils will be mandatory for consideration by the authorities at which such councils are established. The electronic extract and other digital tools still need to be developed and launched.
New guarantees in healthcare and on credit liabilities
The law defines the right of IDPs to medical services, medicines and medical devices under relevant state programmes, as well as to free legal aid. These are enshrined among other legal guarantees for displaced persons across different areas.
The law separately regulates credit liabilities for displaced persons who left their places of residence in temporarily occupied territories or in territories where hostilities are taking place. For categories defined by the law, limits are provided on the accrual of interest, fines and penalties on loans and credits, and creditors are obliged to recalculate debt after a written request by the borrower; these guarantees apply under conditions set by law and are not automatic for all IDPs.
The Cabinet of Ministers must, within three months from the day following the publication of the law, adopt the necessary regulatory acts and bring current rules into line with the new provisions. For now, IDPs do not need to urgently contact authorities to reissue documents.
