Ukraine continues to reform key social institutions, and the next step will be the elimination of medical and social expert commissions (MSEC). From January 1, 2025, the system for determining disability will change – it will be replaced by a modern approach focused on convenience and transparency. This decision was approved by President Volodymyr Zelensky, putting into effect the recommendations of the National Security and Defense Council, writes WomanEL.
ContentHow the new system will workWhat will change for people with disabilitiesValid documentsRe-evaluationWho is exempt from re-evaluationNew approach to evaluation 
How the new system will work
MSEC will be completely abolished, and their functions will be transferred to expert teams in hospitals. Determining the disability status will be done with the help of new rules and modern technologies:
- Electronic referrals from the attending physician.
- Automation of documents through the electronic system.
- Convenient locations for assessment.
- Minimizing bureaucracy for patients.
What will change for people with disabilities
Valid documents
All disability certificates issued previously remain valid. This means that people who have already received the appropriate status will retain their benefits, social payments, and other services.
Re-evaluation
Persons who have received lifelong disability status do not need to undergo re-examinations. If the disability was granted temporarily, the assessment periods will depend on the age and disability group.
Important deadlines for re-examination:
- Until November 1, 2025 – for men aged 25-60 with the second or third disability group.
- Until April 1, 2026 – for other categories of citizens.
- If your re-examination was planned for the first half of 2025, the deadline will be automatically extended by 6 months, until June 30, 2025.
Who is exempt from reassessment
Some categories of persons are not required to undergo assessment, in particular:
- people with lifelong disability status;
- persons with serious diseases (oncology, complete loss of vision, limb amputation, etc.);
- those who are in the war zone or in the occupied territories.
- military personnel and law enforcement officers during service.
A new approach to assessment
An expert team of doctors will conduct assessments directly in medical institutions. The attending physician will create an electronic file and referral, which will greatly simplify the process. This approach ensures transparency, reduces corruption risks, and improves the accessibility of the procedure.
The new disability assessment system, which will be operational from 2025, aims to improve the quality of medical and social services. It will become more transparent, accessible, and adapted to the modern needs of society. Follow the current deadlines and follow the updates to preserve your rights and benefits.
Previously, we talked about the puppy without a paw: a toy was released in Ukraine that will help talk to children about disability and inclusion.