In order to receive state assistance, families of fallen soldiers and persons who participated in the defense of Ukraine need to obtain the appropriate status. The Ministry of Justice on its website explains how to do this.
Who can get the status
Families are eligible for the status:
- military personnel, reservists, persons liable for military service and volunteers of the Territorial Defense Forces;
- members of volunteer formations, regardless of their official involvement in the security forces;
- persons who voluntarily provided or participated in the ATO, operations to ensure national security and defense and counteract the armed aggression of the Russian Federation;
- Employees of enterprises and institutions involved in defense-related tasks;
- defenders who were killed, went missing or died as a result of injuries or illnesses sustained while participating in the defense of the state.
Who are the family members of the deceased
The full list of categories of persons who may be recognized as family members of a fallen serviceman is defined by CMU Resolution No. 740. It can be found at via link.
Family members of the deceased may include:
- parents;
- one of the spouses who has not remarried, regardless of whether he/she receives a pension;
- children who do not have (and have not had) families of their own;
- children who have families but became disabled before reaching the age of majority;
- children with both parents killed or missing.
How to apply for a status
In order to obtain the status of a family member of the deceased, you must contact the local structural unit for veteran policy at your registered place of residence or at the address of actual residence (for internally displaced persons).
You can also apply for the status through the Administrative Services Center or Diia portal.
Required documents
Applications are submitted for consideration, in particular:
- a copy of the death certificate or notification of the person's death;
- testimony of the commander (chief) of a military unit or head of a volunteer group, certified by a seal;
- a certificate (extract from the order) from the head of the Anti-Terrorist Center at the SSU or the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
- the conclusion of a forensic medical examination;
- a court decision establishing the fact of voluntary provision or voluntary involvement in the anti-terrorist operation or measures to ensure national security and defense, repulse and deter the armed aggression of the Russian Federation;
- documents on the direct performance of ATO tasks in the areas of its conduct (excerpts from orders, instructions, order books, materials of official/special investigations into injuries);
- application for granting the status of a family member of a deceased defender or defender of Ukraine or a leader of a volunteer formation that included the person who was killed (missing) or died;
- a resolution of the staff military medical commission of the relevant military formation;
- a copy of the contract of a territorial defense volunteer;
- a certificate issued by the commander of the military unit of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces, under whose leadership the activities of the volunteer formation of the territorial community are carried out, at the request of the commander of this formation. a certificate from the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine.
The full list of documents for granting the status of a family member of a fallen (deceased) defender of Ukraine is available at via link.
The decision is made within one month from the date of submission of the full package of documents. In the event of a refusal, the applicant has the right to use the appeal procedures in accordance with the Law of Ukraine «On Administrative Procedure» or to apply to the court.
Guarantees and benefits for families of fallen servicemen
After obtaining the status, families can enjoy state guarantees, in particular:
Medical benefits
- free medicines and rehabilitation products;
- sanatorium treatment or compensation for its cost;
- annual medical examinations, priority hospitalization and services in medical institutions.
Housing and utility benefits
- 50% discounts on housing and utilities within the established norms;
- priority provision of housing for people in need of better living conditions;
- the right to loans for the construction, reconstruction or purchase of housing.
Labor guarantees
- use of annual leave at a convenient time;
- additional unpaid leave of up to two weeks;
- Pre-emptive right to employment and job retention in the event of staff reductions;
- 100% payment of sick leave.
Social and educational benefits
- priority service by enterprises in the household and social sphere;
- benefits for the installation of fixed-line telephone communications;
- admission to state and municipal educational institutions without competition for state-funded places.
Obtaining the status of a family member of a fallen defender of Ukraine is an important mechanism for accessing state support.
The Ministry of Justice reminds that in case of difficulties with the procedure for processing or appealing decisions, you can exercise the right to free legal aid.
Family members of fallen (deceased) Defenders of Ukraine have the right to all types of legal services:
- protection;
- drafting procedural documents;
- representation of interests in courts, other state bodies, local governments and before other persons.
For an oral consultation, please call 0 800 213 103 - a single contact number for the free legal aid system.
Calls from landline and mobile phones within Ukraine are free of charge. Lawyers provide legal advice on weekdays from 8:00 to 18:00. For calls from abroad: +38 044 363 10 41 (cost - according to the tariffs of your operator).
