The war has forced millions of Ukrainians to leave their homes, often without the ability to take their documents or formally resign from their jobs. The state has introduced максимально simplified procedures so that everyone who needs work and support can receive it.
Can you obtain unemployment status without an employment record book?
Yes, it is possible.
If you have internally displaced person (IDP) status and have left areas where hostilities are ongoing, the absence of a paper employment record book or dismissal orders is not an obstacle to registering with the employment center.
How does it work in practice?
Under normal circumstances, a person must provide a full set of documents. However, for internally displaced persons, a simplified procedure applies (in accordance with Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 446 dated March 30, 2023).
If, during martial law, internally displaced persons or individuals residing in areas of active hostilities do not have the documents required to register as unemployed, employment center specialists will obtain information on:
- periods of insurance (work) record
- employment history
- wages (income, monetary support)
from the following state registers:
- State Register of Individual Taxpayers
- Unified State Register of Legal Entities, Individual Entrepreneurs, and Public Organizations
- Register of Insurers and the Register of Insured Persons of the State Social Insurance System
- Unified Information System of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
- Unified Information Database on Internally Displaced Persons
- Unified State Electronic Education Database
What if you were unable to officially resign?
This is one of the most common issues. If your employer remains in occupied territory or you have lost contact:
- To obtain unemployment status, you must submit an application addressed to your employer requesting termination of your employment contract at any employment center in Ukraine, regardless of your place of residence or stay.
- The employment center will independently notify your employer, the Pension Fund of Ukraine, and the State Tax Service of Ukraine.
- The date of dismissal is considered to be the day following the submission of your application to the employment center.
📞 If you have any questions, please contact the call center: 0-800-219-713