Communicate. Veteran project has recently held its second discussion panel in Kryvyi Rih. This project was co-founded by Kryvyi Rih Foundation for Future CSO and Zaporizhia. Shared Ideas Platform, with financial and advisory support by Metinvest Group. The lawyers, professionals of Administrative Service Centre and representatives of the Pension Fund of Ukraine answered the most pressing questions of defenders returning to civilian life. In Kryvyi Rih, the project is backed by the City Defence Council.

Discussions covered legal matters related to payouts and veteran status, as well as social security guarantees for the defenders. Those attending had a chance to find advice and solve issues pertaining to social benefits, including social payouts, education opportunities, housing allowances, medical services and utilities, as well as proper procedure for obtaining veteran statuses.

“Such events are essential today. Administrative Service Centres, for instance, are everyone’s gateway to important services, and every citizen should know this information, especially our veteran defenders. We are waiting for them to return home and will assist in their civilian reintegration, educate them about various services, from obtaining veteran status to receiving property compensations, business startup allowances and so on,” said Liudmyla ZЕLЕNSKA, director of Administrative Services Department at the Executive Committee of Kryvyi Rih City Council.

Veterans say that events like this help them quicker adjust and adapt to civilian life. This is Vasyl Motruk’s second Communicate. Veteran event, where he shares his experience with other veterans, in particular as to pension formalities: “I’d like to educate my fellow veterans about dos and don’ts. They should understand that if you take it step-by-step and do everything right, then you’ll get the full pension very quickly.”

The participants also discussed psychological and physical rehabilitation as well as employment, and concluded that such panels should take place regularly.

“At the previous meeting we ran a poll in Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhia and found out which matters were important for veterans. So our second panel is about legal matters, as these turned out to be the most relevant for our defenders, and now we are developing a mechanism for working in this direction. We have invited experts from all fields to assist every person who needs help. Over 20 veterans attended the second panel. Previous participants brought their brothers-in-arms as well this time, which is very important. We understand that we help resolve certain crucial matters for our heroes,” underscored Olena LЕSHCHЕNKO, director of Kryvyi Rih Foundation for Future CSO.