Nearly 90,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kharkiv are be checked to identify whether they are eligible for social benefits.
This was announced by Director of the Department of Social Welfare of Kharkiv Regional State Administration (KRSA) Yuriy Shparaga.
“About three months ago, we were informed by law enforcement agencies that persons came from the occupied territory with bags of bank cards allegedly to deliver money to citizens who are eligible to receive social assistance and pension payments in the Kharkiv region,” said Shparaga.
According to him, in February, the department received a letter from Ukraine’s Security Service which stated that on inspection a “number of persons belonging to these categories of population were unfoundedly issued certificates and social security payments, including pensions” in respect of a Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers “on the implementation of social benefits to internally displaced persons.”
This information is confirmed by data from the State Border Service of Ukraine, according to which at the time of registration of documents and social benefits, these persons were beyond the territory controlled by Ukraine.
To date, the payment of social benefits to 15 thousand people have been suspended.
Shparaga said: “This is a temporary measure. It does not deprive a person of the right to receive payment. Of course, if in one day or even in a month it will be found that a person lived on the occupied territory and payout was stopped unreasonably, it will be resumed fully.”
He emphasized the department will do all it can for people who are in need of social protection.
As of February 18, 2016, in the Kharkiv region, 211,700 IDPs officially registered. Upwards of 1,300 people register weekly in Kharkiv.
