Disability Group 2 in 2026: benefits, pension and new application procedures
As of 1 January 2025, medical and social expert commissions have been abolished in Ukraine. The MSEC has been replaced by a system for assessing an individual’s daily functioning.
Decisions are now made by a team of medical experts, and referrals are issued by the attending doctor. Documents, reviews and decisions are recorded in an electronic system.
For seriously ill patients, in-person and remote forms of assessment have been provided for. Additional examinations may be scheduled only once. Decisions must be made within 10 working days.
Certificates and reports issued by the Medical and Social Expert Commission (MSEC) before 31 December 2024 remain valid until the date of the next assessment. They continue to serve as the basis for receiving a pension, benefits and payments.
Who is assigned disability group 2
Disability Group 2 is assigned to people with persistent and severe impairments of bodily functions.
This refers to cases where a person has significant limitations in daily life but retains the ability to partially care for themselves.
Grounds for this may include significant limitations in self-care, mobility, education, work, orientation, communication or control of one’s own behaviour.
Possible medical grounds include severe visual impairments, paralysis, the consequences of organ transplantation, mental illnesses lasting more than 10 years, certain severe forms of diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure and other conditions.
How to apply for Group 2 disability status in 2026
First, you need to consult the doctor treating your primary condition. This could be a neurologist, oncologist, cardiologist or another relevant specialist.
If the condition meets the criteria, the doctor will issue an electronic referral for an assessment of daily functioning.
The paper form 088/o no longer exists – the procedure is carried out digitally.
The system then sets the date and time for the assessment. On the day of the assessment, the expert panel accesses the case file, analyses the medical data and makes a decision.
If disability is established, the person receives an extract from the expert panel’s decision. This is a new document that has replaced the MSEC certificate.
Group 2 disability pension in 2026
The Group 2 disability pension amounts to 90% of the old-age pension that a person would be entitled to, taking into account their insurance record and earnings.
From 1 March 2026, pensions were indexed by a factor of 1.121, i.e. by 12.1%. The recalculation was carried out automatically, without the need to submit an application.
For civilians with a general medical condition, the average pension for Group 2 is approximately 9,855 UAH.
The minimum pension for insufficient insurance record is from 2,595 UAH.
For people with war-related disabilities in Group 2, payments can range from approximately 14,400 to 15,000 UAH.
For Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident liquidators with a Group 2 disability, the pension may amount to around 16,490 UAH.
Pension for military personnel with a Group 2 disability
A separate procedure applies to military personnel and veterans.
If the disability is related to participation in combat operations, the pension amount for Group 2 is 80% of the monthly pay.
If the disability occurred during service but is not related to combat operations, the payment amounts to 60% of the monetary allowance.
Following the March 2026 indexation, the updated payment amounts came into effect automatically from 1 April.
What benefits are available to Group 2 disability holders
People with Group 2 disability are entitled to free travel on urban public transport, excluding taxis.
A 50% discount is also provided on rail, air, sea and road transport on domestic routes between 1 October and 15 May.
Medical benefits include a 50% discount on prescription medicines during outpatient treatment.
Medicines are provided completely free of charge to people receiving a pension below the minimum level or state social assistance in lieu of a pension.
People with a Group 2 disability may also receive rehabilitation aids, prostheses and mobility aids free of charge or on preferential terms in accordance with an individual rehabilitation programme.
Separately, free sanatorium vouchers are provided where medically indicated.
Employment rights
Disability Group 2 is classified as able to work. A person may work, receive a salary and, at the same time, a disability pension.
The employer is not entitled to assign work that is contraindicated due to the person’s state of health.
At the request of an employee with a disability, the employer must arrange for part-time working hours.
A probationary period may not be imposed upon recruitment.
Overtime and night work are permitted only with the employee’s consent.
Annual leave for people with a Group 2 disability is 30 calendar days instead of the standard 24.
How to appeal a decision
If a person disagrees with the expert panel’s decision, they may appeal through the Centre for the Assessment of a Person’s Functional Status.
You have 40 days from the date of receiving the report to lodge a complaint.
The appeal must explain exactly what the person disagrees with and include supporting documents.
If the Centre does not uphold the appeal, the decision can be challenged in court.
As reported by ThePublic, benefits for people with Group I disability: what may change in May 2026.
Follow us on Telegram
