There is a gap in the Ukrainian social protection system between the rights granted and the ability to enjoy them. It is necessary to change approaches to supporting people with disabilities, especially since their number is likely to increase in the context of the full-scale war.

The KSE Institute’s Center of Public Finance and Governance with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has prepared a report “State Social Support for Persons and Children with Disabilities in Ukraine: Current Mechanism and Areas for Improvement”. The study was conducted at the request of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine to identify gaps in the system and possible directions for its improvement.

The analysts examined the legal framework of Ukraine, budget programs of the Ministry of Social Policy, and relevant international practices. The analysis resulted in recommendations for improving the support system for persons and children with disabilities, which are already being implemented by the Ministry of Social Policy.

Key findings:

• In 2023, the number of persons with disabilities in Ukraine exceeded 3 million, including 231 thousand children. Their rights, granted by law, cannot be exercised in practice. Low social benefits, limited employment opportunities, and a lack of inclusive infrastructure are among the main obstacles.

• In 2023, the total expenditures of the Ministry of Social Policy and the Pension Fund of Ukraine to finance the needs of persons with disabilities amounted to UAH 144.7 billion. However, there is no clear system for evaluating the outcomes of the funds use. Therefore, actual social policy planning does not align with the strategic interests.

• The assignment of benefits depends only on the disability group or individual status. This does not take into account the actual  level of functional limitation of the person. As a result, spending on support for certain categories of people is inefficient. Meanwhile, other categories do not receive the assistance they need.

• The amount of care assistance is insufficient. Families with children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable. Although Ukraine has a number of mechanisms to support children with disabilities, their relatives are hardly covered by social protection. Sometimes they are even restricted in their rights. For example, the law restricts the simultaneous receipt of allowances for the care of children with disabilities and the ability to work and study.

• The employment rate of persons with disabilities is still unsatisfactory, despite the state’s efforts to provide them with professional training and reskilling. Only a small proportion of those who are trained in the specialized centers are then employed. This hinders the economic independence and socialization of persons with disabilities. It also indicates a lack of cooperation between training centers and employers.

Recommendations:

• Introduce international standards regarding the establishment of disabilities status for children and adolescents in Ukraine. Also, increase the level of social protection for their families, as parents have to combine professional and family responsibilities.

• Expand access to rehabilitation centers, day care centers, psychosocial assistance, and information support regarding available treatment opportunities and increase financial assistance.

• Develop a single comprehensive approach to policy-making to support persons with disabilities based on an audit of strategies and information exchange system.

• Introduce a methodology for providing assistance based on an individual assessment, which will allow for targeted allocation of resources in line with the real needs of individuals.

Read more about the challenges and recommendations for financial support for persons and children with disabilities in the full version of the report from the KSE Institute.