The President of Ukraine has signed Law No. 14191, which strengthens state support for children with disabilities, people with disabilities from childhood, and their families.
The law provides for a transition from piecemeal assistance to a comprehensive support system — combining cash payments with social, medical and educational services.
Among the key changes is an increase in the level of state social assistance. From 1 January 2027, the base amount used to calculate payments will be no less than 4,000 hryvnias. For children with disabilities, the basic state benefit will be no less than 8,000 hryvnias per month, and taking into account the care allowance, the payment may reach 12,000 or 16,000 hryvnias, depending on the established disability sub-group and care needs.
The law also increases state social assistance for adults with disabilities from childhood and provides for care allowances for certain categories.
A separate set of amendments concerns social services. The law introduces a combined early intervention social service for families with children from birth to four years of age who have developmental disorders or are at risk of developing them. From 2027, for a period of five years, a range of services for children with disabilities and their families is also to be funded from the state budget — in particular, support during inclusive education, comprehensive development and care for children, and respite care for parents or other carers.
The law also changes the approach to payments for children with disabilities who are fully supported by the state. Part of the funds is to be paid directly into the children’s personal accounts, thereby strengthening their financial independence.
“The signing of Law No. 14191 is an important achievement, but it is certainly not the end of the story. During the finalisation of the document, we managed to address some of the risks highlighted by civil society and to strengthen certain safeguards for people with disabilities and their families. The key now is to ensure that these changes do not remain merely on paper. We need adequate funding, clear rules and effective mechanisms for the provision of social services. It is at this stage that it will become clear to what extent the new approach will genuinely change people’s everyday lives,” said Daria Kukurika, Executive Director of “The League of the Strong” public association.
“The League of the Strong” will monitor the further implementation of the law and is ready to contribute to the development of the necessary mechanisms to ensure that the support provided for in the law is accessible to people with disabilities and their families.