Registration of disability

When to apply for disability for a seriously ill child?

The current legislation does not set clear deadlines for when a child should apply for disability registration.

Usually, the procedure for establishing disability begins after the child has undergone the necessary treatment and rehabilitation. If the rehabilitation results confirm a persistent disorder of the body's functions that limits the child's vital activity, you can apply for disability.

However, if it is, for example, a confirmed cancer or any other disease that gives a child the right to be granted a disability, the application can be started during treatment or even without undergoing the relevant treatment.

In addition, in cases of congenital disorders or chronic diseases, you can apply for a referral for a medical and social examination (MSEC) without prior treatment and rehabilitation.

In any case, before starting the procedure, it is recommended to consult a doctor who provides primary care for the child. He or she will help you assess the appropriateness of the treatment and start making a referral.

What is the procedure for registering a child's disability?

A child can be assigned to one of the following categories:

• "child with a disability";
• "child with a disability of subgroup A" - in case of exceptionally severe health impairment, complete dependence on constant care, third-party assistance or dispensary supervision, as well as actual inability to take care of themselves.

The decision to establish disability for children is made by medical advisory commissions (LCC) of the health care facility where the child is being observed.

The commission consists of a chairperson, medical doctors, a rehabilitation specialist, a psychologist or a practical psychologist. Representatives of social protection bodies, psychological, medical and pedagogical consultations, as well as representatives of the state employment service, other enterprises, institutions and organizations (by agreement) may participate in the commission's meetings.

Step-by-step procedure:

• Visit a doctor

Contact your family doctor, a specialized doctor, or the institution where your child is being treated. A complete medical examination is necessary.

• Obtaining medical documents

After the examination, you need to get one of the following documents:

• a specialist's advisory opinion (Form 028/о);
• an extract from the medical record of an inpatient (form 027/о).

• Receiving a referral to the MSEC

Based on the documents received, the primary care physician issues a referral for a medical and social examination (MSE).

• Preparation of documents and consideration by the SCC

The doctor prepares and submits the necessary documents to the MCC. Within 7 working days from the date of their receipt, the child is examined. Based on the examination, the MCC makes a decision to establish or refuse to establish a disability.

A doctor who provides primary health care to a child must be present at the meeting of the Commission. He or she informs the commission about the child's condition.

If a disability is established, the Medical and Health Care Commission issues a certificate:

• medical report about a child with a disability under the age of 18;
• individual rehabilitation program for a child with a disability - a document that defines the types, scope, timing of rehabilitation measures and responsible executors.

The date of disability determination is the date of receipt of documents by the MCC.

A child's disability is usually established for 2 or 5 years, or until the age of 18, depending on the nature of the health impairment.

How is a child's disability established if he or she cannot attend the examination by the Medical and Qualification Commission?

If the child cannot attend the meeting of the Medical Advisory Commission (MAC), the following options are possible:

1. Inspection at the place of residence (stay)

If the child's health condition does not allow him or her to attend the meeting of the Commission, the examination can be organized with the Commission visiting the child's place of residence (stay). This method of examination is indicated in the referral for the child's medical and social examination. The examination of the child at the place of residence (stay) is initiated by his/her legal representative. To do this, he or she orally or in writing addresses the doctor who will issue the referral with a corresponding request.

2. Review of documents in absentia

If the child lives in a remote or hard-to-reach area, the commission can establish disability in absentia, based on documents only. This requires the written consent of the child's parents or other legal representatives. This method of decision-making is indicated in the referral for the child to undergo a medical and social examination. 

3. Determination of disability during a child's stay abroad

If a child is temporarily abroad, the MPC may decide to establish a disability based on the submitted documents and the results of a medical examination abroad. To do this, the child's parents or other legal representatives may submit an application to a family doctor or specialized doctor who will issue a referral for the child to undergo a medical and social examination. The application and the package of documents can be sent either by mail or in scanned form.

ImportantAll submitted documents must be translated into Ukrainian and certified by a Ukrainian consular office in accordance with the laws of Ukraine.

How is the child re-examined for the purpose of extending the disability?

If the child's disability is established for a certain period of time (not until the child reaches the age of majority), the medical report the date of re-examination is indicated.

Re-examination is carried out in the following cases:

• Scheduled - on the date specified in the conclusion. It is recommended to consult a doctor in advance to initiate the procedure for extending the status of a child with a disability - at least one month before the end of the current term. This will allow you to undergo the necessary examinations in time before being referred to the MCC.
• Ahead of schedule - at the initiative of parents or legal representatives if the child's health condition has changed (deteriorated or improved).
• The initiator may also be a doctor who provides primary health care to a child, if he or she sees grounds for doing so.

Re-examination of children with unstable, reversible changes and disorders of body functions is carried out no later than one month before the expiration of the medical report. Therefore, it is advisable to visit a doctor for a referral to the MCC two months or even earlier in order to have time to undergo all the necessary examinations.

The re-examination procedure is the same as the initial one: you need to undergo an examination, collect the relevant medical documents, and get a referral to the Medical Advisory Commission (MAC).

Please note: if the re-examination date fell during the period of martial law, it can be postponed - but no later than six months after the termination or lifting of martial law. This is possible provided that the doctor is unable to refer the child with a disability to the HQC. In this case, the disability is automatically extended until the last day of the sixth month after the end of martial law, unless a second examination is conducted earlier.

Valid reasons for postponing the examination are, for example, serious illnesses (cancer, mental disorders, total blindness, amputation of limbs), as well as being in a combat zone or temporarily occupied territory.