Since October 22, a new law on internally displaced persons has been in force in Ukraine. It provides grounds for deregistration, including in case of prolonged stay abroad, and sets a 30-day period for notifying about a change of residence. But most displaced persons do not need to urgently apply to state institutions.
On October 23, the government officially explained that previously issued IDP certificates remain valid, and the procedure for receiving assistance has not changed yet. At the same time, Law No. 4924-IX contains provisions that deserve special attention.
Do I need to change certificates and re-register benefits
No. If a person is already registered as an internally displaced person, there is no requirement to re-register or obtain a new certificate due to the law's entry into force.
Previously issued documents retain their legal force. This also applies to those receiving state housing assistance.
As confirmed by the Ministry of Social Policy, the current procedures for registration and receiving assistance for IDPs are maintained. Therefore, there is no need to submit a new application solely because of the new law.
However, this does not mean automatic extension of all payments. Recipients still must meet the conditions of a specific assistance program, including established deadlines and eligibility criteria.
For those who are applying for IDP status for the first time, nothing has changed yet either. A certificate can be obtained through the "Diia" app, an administrative service center (TsNAP), or a social protection authority.
Who may be removed from IDP registration
One of the important parts of the new law concerns the circumstances under which a person may lose IDP status.
In particular, Article 10 provides for deregistration without the IDP's application if he/she voluntarily returned to the previous place of residence and did not report this within the established period.
The grounds may also include submission of deliberately false information during registration or restoration of conditions for safe, voluntary, and dignified return home.
The last point is especially important for residents of liberated settlements. The mere fact of liberation of a territory does not mean that the person's status is automatically terminated. The procedure for determining conditions for safe return must be established by the Cabinet of Ministers.
The law also provides for other grounds for deregistration. However, such a decision is made by an authorized body in accordance with the established procedure, not automatically by the system after a certain date.
90 and 180 days abroad: what rule does the law provide
Another provision concerns IDPs who travel outside Ukraine.
According to Law No. 4924-IX, grounds for deregistration may include leaving abroad for permanent residence or absence from Ukraine:
— more than 90 consecutive days;
— more than 180 days cumulatively within a year.
However, exceptions are provided. If a person was abroad longer for justified reasons, this should be taken into account. The list of such reasons and the allowable periods of stay are determined by the government.
Therefore, one cannot claim that every IDP will automatically lose status on the 91st day of staying abroad. The circumstances of absence and the established decision-making procedure matter.
Also, deregistration as an IDP should not be confused with termination of a specific social payment. The right to assistance is regulated by separate conditions, and the consequences of a change in status depend on the relevant program.
Moving or returning home: 30 days to notify
If an IDP changes residence within Ukraine or voluntarily returns to the previous address, he/she must notify the relevant authority.
Article 9 of the law sets a period — 30 calendar days from the date of arrival at the new place of residence or return home.
The change can be reported to the local administration, the relevant executive body of the local council, or a TsNAP. The detailed notification procedure is determined by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Important: this does not mean that all IDPs must re-confirm their address within 30 days after October 22. The requirement is related to an actual change of residence or return home.
What will change later: new documents and housing assistance
The main idea of the new law is to gradually move from a system focused primarily on registration and payments to support tailored to the needs of a specific person or family.
In particular, it provides for the creation of a unified IDP information database. Instead of the usual certificate, it will be possible to obtain an extract from this database — in paper or electronic form. Both options will have equal legal force.
But the digital service is still being developed. Already issued certificates do not need to be exchanged for extracts.
It is also planned to create a unified register of housing that can be used to accommodate IDPs. It is expected to help select accommodation options considering family needs.
Separate provisions of the law concern children born after their parents' displacement. Such children are not considered IDPs under the definition of the new law, but state support for the displaced family should take into account the child's birth. The procedure for providing specific payments depends on the rules of the relevant program.
Most of the new mechanisms will be launched gradually, after the adoption of necessary government decisions.
What IDPs should check now
For most people, the entry into force of the new law changes nothing immediately: certificates remain valid, and the existing procedures for receiving assistance are maintained.
Those who recently changed address, plan to return home, or will stay abroad for a long time should study the new provisions more carefully. These circumstances may affect continued IDP registration.
If a person continues to live at the registered address and their circumstances have not changed, there is no need to apply to state institutions solely because of the new law.
Based on materials from: the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Ministry of Social Policy. Full text: Law of Ukraine No. 4924-IX "On Ensuring the Rights and Freedoms of Internally Displaced Persons".
