Author
There is no definition and procedural guarantees for applicants with specific needs. In the legal instructions regulating the process of accommodation in the TACs, some reference is made to the prioritization of vulnerable persons in the process of accommodation (families with children, single women, and elderly persons). The legislation foresees that rooms for persons with disabilities accommodated in the TACs, as well as residential buildings and other premises used by them, are equipped according to the needs of persons.
The involvement of the psychologist during the RSD process to support very vulnerable applicants (SGBV survivors, for instance) is resolved on an ad hoc basis through the assistance of the UNHCR social partner NGOs.
Asylum seekers may benefit from certain social services which are targeted at preventing difficult life circumstances such as disability, childbirth, illness etc. The obstacles to receiving certain social services may arise if an asylum seeker cannot obtain the TIN. Quite often, asylum seekers are unable to obtain the TIN due to the absence of an ID or the expiration of such a document. Accordingly, asylum seekers without an ID, consequently without TIN could not have access to certain social services in Ukraine.
Among the range of social services asylum seekers have stable access to assistance related to childbirth. TIN is not required among the documents submitted to receive this assistance.[1]
In other cases, asylum seekers have received state social assistance with the aid of UNHCR executive partners.[2] For instance, ROKADA reported that they experienced precedents in issuing assistance due to low income for asylum seekers, although they explained that the authorities accepted MSID as an identity document.[3] The Tenth of April also assisted with burial arrangements, as the governmental support is not available to asylum seekers. In case asylum seeker needs support in applying for social services, relevant NGOs may assist with translation and legal information.
[1] Para.11, Procedure for Granting and Paying State Assistance to Families with Children.
[2] Testimony of the ROKADA dated 01 May 2024, testimony of the Tenth of April dated 14 May 2024.
[3] Testimony of the ROKADA dated 01 May 2024.