Account seizure: how to lift restrictions during martial law
All funds belonging to an individual may be seized by decision of a state or private enforcement officer. At the same time, the law provides for mechanisms that allow the use of part of the money or the lifting of the seizure from certain accounts.
How much money can be used
During martial law, the debtor has the right to use funds from one current account within the limit of 16,000 hryvnias per month.
To do this, you must submit an application to the enforcement officer to determine the account for expenditure transactions. The application must specify the account number and bank. Within two working days, the enforcement officer shall adopt a decision and send it to the bank.
What payments are not subject to collection
The law prohibits the collection of funds received as:
— wages
— pensions
— social benefits
— scholarships
The following are also not subject to collection:
— severance pay upon dismissal
— compensation for business trips or transfers
— assistance in connection with pregnancy and childbirth
— one-time assistance for the birth or adoption of a child
— assistance for children in care
— assistance for single mothers
— assistance for medical treatment
— assistance for burial
— other social benefits specified by law
If the account to which such funds are transferred is subject to seizure, it is necessary to submit an application to the executor to lift the seizure and attach documents confirming the special status of the account — a certificate from the bank or confirmation from the employer, Pension Fund or other authority.
When the seizure is lifted
The seizure may be lifted in the following cases:
— completion of enforcement
proceedings — return of
the enforcement document — cancellation of the security
for the claim — full payment of the debt
— establishment of the fact that the document is not subject to enforcement
The Ministry of Justice emphasises that even if your account is blocked, there is no need to panic — the law provides for a procedure for restoring access to funds.
