Ukrainians who have escaped the horrors of war will be able to receive social support
Today, the Seimas approved a proposal to provide social support to Ukrainians who have received temporary protection. All Ukrainian war refugees will be granted temporary protection for one year, which may be extended for another year if necessary. Today, almost 18,000 Ukrainians who have fled the war in Ukraine have already arrived in Lithuania. These are mostly women with children; there are almost 8,000 children and about 1,200 people over the age of 60.
"It is very important that people who have escaped the war and reach our country receive social support that will help them survive until they find a job and earn a living in Lithuania. We hope that the planned one-time accommodation allowance, child benefits, care benefits, social assistance pensions, targeted compensation for people with disabilities will help to do this“, – says Monika Navickienė, Minister of Social Security and Labor.
According to the Employment service, 7,400 job offers from 730 employers have already been received to employ people fleeing the war, so it is likely that some Ukrainians will successfully integrate into our country's labor market. At present, almost 700 Ukrainians have already found employment. Almost 2,000 Ukrainians of working age are registered with the Employment service.
To reduce the social exclusion of Ukrainians fleeing the war, Ukrainians who have received temporary protection will be entitled to social assistance. They will be able to receive all child benefits (including child money; foster children will also be provided with care benefits), one-time accomodation allowance, compensation for part of the rental and other social benefits. They will also be entitled to social services.
Ukrainians will also be able to receive monthly compensation for the costs of pre-school education.
Ukrainians who have escaped the war and have temporary protection in Lithuania will also be paid social assistance pensions. They will also be entitled to targeted compensation of nursing and care costs.
Retirees living in Lithuania and receiving pensions from Ukraine will also receive assistance. Due to the war, Ukraine will not be able to pay them pensions at this time. Until the situation stabilizes, they will be paid social assistance pensions. The pensions paid by Ukraine are very small. The average pension is 60 Euros. For this reason, they are usually paid up to the amount of their social assistance pension. The proposals will keep their situation unchanged, but the pension payment will be guaranteed until Ukraine can do it again.
We note that to ensure the minimum needs and livelihood of the Ukrainians who have fled the war in Lithuania, municipalities can already provide them with social support, such as one-time, targeted, periodic or conditional benefits, as support is needed for Ukrainians in difficult situations.
Ukrainians who have received temporary protection in Lithuania and have no income will be entitled to social benefits, including compensation for heating, drinking and hot water.
More detailed information on social support for Ukrainians can be found here.
Simplified procedure for those wishing to care for the children of Ukrainians
It is planned to establish legal opportunities for faster appointment of a representative to unaccompanied minors coming to Lithuania without their parents or other representatives. Under the current legislation of our country, a person can be appointed as the child's guardian (caregiver) only after passing the assessment, training, etc. This can take about 3 months.
In view of the fact that persons who have left Ukraine may come to Lithuania not only with their children, but also, for example, with the children of their friends, of the fact that there may be people in Lithuania wishing to care for unaccompanied Ukrainian minor, it is proposed to include a clause that when a state of war, a state of emergency, a state of emergency due to a mass influx of aliens has been declared, custody (care) of an unaccompanied minor shall be established in a simplified manner.
More information about social support can be found here.
Last updated: 28-03-2022
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