In the frames of the United Voices in Action program, internally displaced persons (IDPs) can get free legal advice. By phone or online in social networks: a team of lawyers provides expert advice and even individual support in solving problems every weekday, from 9:00 to 18:00.

IDPs are advised on the following issues:

•   how to apply for IDP status;
•   how to receive or restore social benefits;
•   how to recover lost documents;
•   how to receive compensation for destroyed or damaged housing;
•   what rights the IDPs have in terms of education, housing, work, etc.

On average, specialists provide up to 500 consultations per month. In total, more than 1,500 people received legal aid in the last three months – from October to December 2022. 

The issues regarding which people seek advice

As the heating season began, people started inquiring about paying for utilities in the occupied territories.  

For example, the house of a woman who needed our lawyers’ help was destroyed during the hostilities. She moved to the government-controlled territory, but continued to receive gas bills and accumulated debt. The lawyers helped the woman prepare an appeal to the supplier, advised her to attach photos of the destroyed house and an IDP certificate stating that the displaced person did not live in that house. Later, the woman reported that the supplier took everything into account, recalculated the bill and stopped charging for utilities.

Another appeal concerned meter verification: it was time to perform this procedure, but the person was not at home, so he or she could not provide the relevant service representatives with access to the meter. The lawyers prepared explanations and extracts from government regulations, which state that during martial law all meters are valid, even if their verification term has expired. 

Important! You can get legal advice by leaving a request. To do this, indicate your contacts and the essence of your request. After submitting the application, one of the lawyers will contact you and you will be able to agree on a convenient time and format for the consultation.

Free legal advice is provided in the frames of the United Voices in Action program implemented by IREX in Ukraine together with the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” and with the support of the U.S. Department of State.