Some Ukrainians have simplified the rules for traveling abroad – who does this concern?

Many Ukrainians have already left or are planning to go abroad to escape the hostilities. Some procedures for facilitating departure have already been changed or canceled by the government, and countries hosting refugees are also making concessions.

The Ministry of Social Policy reported that the Cabinet of Ministers has simplified the procedure for crossing the border for certain categories of people with disabilities and their accompanying persons.

What is the problem

The head of the Ministry of Social Policy, Marina Lazebnaya, explained that during the evacuation abroad, many men with disabilities of groups I and II, aged 18 to 60, do not have military IDs. And in some of these tickets there is no mark of unsuitability for military service.

Because of the ban on men from 18 to 60 years old to travel abroad in wartime the border service does not let men with disabilities pass and requires a certificate of unfitness for service.

“In order not to endanger people and not create unnecessary difficulties for them, we have expanded the list of documents that confirm the disability group and may be grounds for passing at the border,” Lazebna explained.

What simplifications and for whom

Now people with disabilities of groups I and II, regardless of age, can cross the state border with only one of these documents:

• certificate to the act of inspection by the medical and social expert commission;
• a certificate confirming the appropriate status, a pension certificate or a certificate confirming the appointment of social assistance in accordance with the laws of Ukraine “On State Social Assistance to Persons with Disabilities from Childhood and Children with Disabilities”, “On State Social Assistance to Persons Not Eligible for a Pension”, and persons with disabilities”;
• certificate for benefits for persons with disabilities who are not eligible for pension or social assistance.

Simplification for maintainers

Together with each person with a disability of groups I and II who needs constant care, the border can be crossed by:

• one of the family members of the first stage of kinship who has reached the age of 18;
• or one person who is at least 18 years of age and is providing care in accordance with the law.

In this case, a document that confirms that the person is actually caring for a person with a disability, there may be a certificate, a certificate of receipt of compensation (assistance, allowances) for care.

There are some peculiarities in the rules for people with disabilities who are recognized as incapacitated or limited in capacity. They may be accompanied by one guardian, trustee or family member of the first step of kinship who has reached the age of 18.

“A companion when traveling abroad for a person with a disability in need of care, – it is a matter of vital necessity. We have determined that a parent, spouse, adult child, guardian, trustee or other person who cares for such a person and receives state-guaranteed payments for this may accompany. And that’s it. Only one adult person, regardless of age and gender, – Lazebnaya commented.

Border crossing conditions for drivers

Earlier, Segodnya wrote that in order to establish international logistics, the government simplified the procedure for crossing the state border. Simplification was introduced for truck and railway transport drivers. For those who do:

• international cargo transportation;
• transportation for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
• transportation of medical cargo;
• humanitarian aid shipments.

We also previously talked about whether it is possible to cross the border with a pet, and how the rules for finding Ukrainian refugees in Poland have changed.