Oksana Zholnovynch
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Your ref. 14.04.2022 /
[email protected]
Our ref. 09.05.2022 No 1.4-2/1432-2
Assistance of Ukrainian persons with disabilities
Dear Mrs Oksana Zholnovynch
Estonia condemns in the strongest possible terms the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by armed
forces of the Russian Federation, and we try our best to support Ukraine during this war.
As much as we would like to help the persons with disabilities of Ukraine, unfortunately,
Estonia does not have the capacity to accommodate Ukrainian persons with disabilities who
have limited mobility and need a barrier-free environment in our care institutions. We are
already facing challenges in providing special care services in Estonia – currently we have a
waiting list for receiving special care services for both Estonians as well as Ukrainian war
refugees, - and therefore, we are not in a position to receive Ukrainian persons with
disabilities in our institutions. If a Ukrainian citizen comes to Estonia, the need for special
care services is assessed by Social Insurance Board, and they are put on a waiting list.
However, we are trying to find best and quick solutions for those Ukrainian citizens who are
already here and need special care services.
We assure you that we accept and help all Ukrainian citizens who have arrived in Estonia,
including persons with disabilities. When a person with a disability arrives in Estonia, they
can apply for temporary protection and after they receive a residence permit card and
personal identification code, they have the same rights as Estonian residents have. This
means that the Ukrainian citizens with disabilities who arrive in Estonia and get their
residence permit card also have the right for disability and workability assessment and
related benefits in cash and in kind (i.e. state-budget financed social benefits, social services,
benefits outside social system). The decision made to identify disability in Ukraine is not valid
in Estonia, and if there is a reason, the process of identifying the severity of the disability and
assessing the ability to work should be started here, which gives the right to social benefits,
services and benefits for disabled people in Estonia. Additionally, Ukrainian citizens with
disabilities who arrive in Estonia and get their residence permit card have the right to apply
for state organized services (i.e. rehabilitation services, technical aid service, special care
services) and services organized by local authorities (i.e. general care service provided
outside home, support person service, personal assistant service, social transportation). As
recipients of temporary protection, the war refugees have the right to receive subsistence
benefits, family benefits, social benefits, as well as labour market services and labour market
support on the same basis as other people who live in Estonia permanently or temporarily.
Emergency care is ensured to all persons staying in Estonia if they have a severe or life-
threatening health issue, even if the person who has arrived does not yet have a direct legal
basis for being in Estonia. Ukrainian war refugees arriving in the country will undergo a
primary health check by paramedics at the reception centres. From the centres, the refugees
will be sent to a general health examination, which is carried out at the hospitals of the
Suur-Ameerika 1 / 10122 Tallinn / ESTONIA / +372 626 9301 /
[email protected] / www.sm.ee / Reg. no
70001952
hospital network. During this health check, patients will undergo a general medical and
infectious disease examination, are vaccinated if necessary, and the required prescriptions
are issued. If a person has a health insurance, the state will partially reimburse the price of
prescription medicines, but the person has to pay for over-the-counter medicines. If the
person cannot afford to pay for medicines or other essentials, they can turn to the local
government for support.
We can assure you that Estonia is fully committed to protect, support and ensure social
guarantees, health care and education to all the Ukrainian children, including children with
disabilities, that have come to Estonia and are in need of temporary protection. In Estonia,
basic education is compulsory for all children, including children with disabilities. The local
government or the city government has a duty to provide basic education for all children of
compulsory school age who live within the territory of the city or municipality. The local
government designates a school for every child in the area where the child lives.
We remain at your disposal for any additional questions you may have.
Yours sincerely,
Agni Aav
Adviser
European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department
Ministry of Social Affairs
Estonia
(+372) 6269 281
[email protected]
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