Government supported the ePotential social insurance reform: what changes Ukrainians can expect in 2025
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine supported the draft law proposed by the Ministry of Social Policy, which provides for a large-scale reform of the social insurance system in 2025. As reported on the government portal, these changes are aimed at providing more prompt and effective support for citizens facing serious illnesses or injuries, and at creating more convenient and less bureaucratic access to social services. The main goal of the reform is to give people the opportunity to get the help they need as quickly as possible and without excessive red tape.
The reform provides that social assistance will be provided immediately after a doctor confirms a person’s temporary incapacity for work, which avoids the need for additional examinations to obtain disability status. After that, citizens will have access to rehabilitation services, medicines, as well as technical means, such as prostheses, orthoses, special chairs, without the need to go through long queues and without unnecessary formalities.
In addition, the need for rehabilitation and its duration will be determined by a team of specialists, which will include doctors, social workers, psychologists and other specialists. In this regard, the rehabilitation period can be extended to one year instead of the current four months, and during this entire period the state will guarantee the financial and social support necessary for the restoration of health.
Another important change will be a new approach to performance assessment. Instead of the usual determination of disability status, the level of a citizen’s work capacity will be assessed, which will allow creating conditions for his gradual return to work. This assessment will be conducted remotely, which eliminates the need to collect additional documents or pass commissions.
The draft law provides for a significant increase in financial support: payments due to temporary incapacity will be made throughout the rehabilitation period. At the same time, the amount of insurance payments will be significantly increased for persons who have completely lost their ability to work.
Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovich emphasized that the goal of the reform is to create a social insurance system that will be oriented to people’s needs. She noted that the new system should ensure that everyone who is faced with an illness or injury receives not only the necessary financial assistance, but also full support, as well as qualified support throughout the recovery period, so that people can return to an active life in society.
At the same time, for those who already have a disability status, it will remain unchanged, and all benefits for persons with disabilities will remain in effect. Also, the reform does not foresee a reduction in payments or a decrease in the level of social guarantees. On the contrary, the level of support for those who need it is planned to be increased, which will provide better protection and facilitate the recovery process for citizens who need help.
The government portal emphasizes:
“The reform does not apply to people who already have a disability. We are talking about employees with insurance experience who need treatment after an illness or injury.
Please note that
- The disability status remains. For those who already have the status of disability, nothing changes.
2. All benefits for persons with disabilities are preserved.
3. After the reform, the disability status will continue to entitle a person to social services, rehabilitation, benefits and employment support.
The reform does not foresee a reduction of any payments or social guarantees. On the contrary, it will increase support for those who cannot work and provide for themselves. Payments will increase for such persons.”
