Duration of unemployment benefits: all changes effective January 1, 2025. Discover what to expect and how it may affect you.

By the end of December 2024, the number of registered unemployed reached 94.2 thousand people, of which 80% (75.8 thousand people) are women. This data was published by MP Daniil Getmantsev, head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Financial, Tax, and Customs Policy, referencing the NBU. In his view, these trends are far from reality, where various estimates (NBU/government) suggest that the actual unemployment rate is between 14–18% (as a percentage of the economically active population), and the real number of unemployed reaches 1.8–2.2 million people. This means that the registered unemployment is 20 times lower than the actual figure.

How to Obtain Unemployment Status and Benefits

The right to assistance for unemployed Ukrainians is defined by Article 43 of the Law on Employment of the Population. According to this document, only certain individuals are entitled to these benefits.

In Ukraine, the following categories of citizens are eligible for unemployment benefits:

• Individuals of working age (not pensioners) who are unemployed but are willing and able to work;
• Persons with disabilities who have not reached the necessary age for pension eligibility and receive social assistance or a disability pension;
• Individuals under 16 years of age who have been dismissed from work for reasons beyond their control, such as changes in working conditions, staff reductions, etc.;
• Single mothers or fathers or individuals who substitute them, who have a child with a disability and are entitled to a care allowance.

"The state's readiness to responsibly address its citizens' needs and take on the obligation to pay unemployment benefits undoubtedly brings a sense of calm to the population during these challenging times. Unemployment benefits, as the name suggests, are designated for unemployed individuals," adds lawyer Elena Voronkova from the Ivan Khomich Law Office.

Individuals may be denied unemployment benefits if they have already exercised their right to receive them within a two-year period.

At the same time, she notes that individuals may be denied unemployment benefits if they have already exercised their right to receive them within a two-year period. This means that within two years after being dismissed, a person is entitled to apply to the Employment Center only once for assistance. Moreover, individuals who have not worked officially and have not paid the Unified Social Contribution cannot expect these benefits (with the exception of those seeking work for the first time).

To obtain status, one must visit the employment center in person or submit an application through electronic means, particularly using the "Dія" app.

Required Documents for Registration and Duration of Unemployment Benefits

For the state to start paying unemployment benefits, an individual must first obtain the appropriate official status. Therefore, it is necessary to not only submit documents for status assignment but also have at least 7 months of insurance experience in the 12 months preceding the registration as unemployed.

The duration of unemployment benefits during the period of martial law has changed and depends on the unemployed person's insurance experience.

"The duration of unemployment benefits during the martial law period has changed and depends on the unemployed person's insurance experience, as stipulated in part 2 of Article 22 of the Law of Ukraine on Mandatory State Social Insurance in Case of Unemployment," explains the lawyer.

Amounts and Payments of Unemployment Benefits in 2025

Thus, unemployment benefits are calculated as follows:

• If an individual has less than three years of insurance experience, they will receive benefits for 180 calendar days;
• From 3 to 6 years — 210 calendar days;
• From 6 to 12 years — 240 calendar days;
• From 12 to 18 years — 270 calendar days;
• From 18 to 24 years — 300 calendar days;
• From 24 to 30 years — 330 calendar days;
• Over 30 years — 360 calendar days.

Considering the actual situation and the ratio of experience to years, most individuals eligible for unemployment benefits can receive them for 300 days within a 2-year period.

Shortened periods are provided — up to 120 days for assistance for certain categories of individuals, such as internally displaced persons who do not have documents confirming their insurance experience.

Exceptions apply to individuals who acquired this status two years before retirement, as they may receive assistance for up to 720 calendar days.

There are also shortened periods — up to 120 days for assistance for specific categories of individuals, such as internally displaced persons without documents confirming their insurance experience.

The amount of the benefit again depends on the experience, with longer insurance experience resulting in a higher percentage of earnings received. For instance, an individual with less than three years of experience is entitled to receive 50% of the average salary (income), whereas someone with over 30 years will receive 80%.

Moreover, the amount of payment depends on the duration of receiving unemployment benefits. Since 2022, changes have been made so that during the first half of the specified payment period, an individual will receive 100% of the benefit amount, while the second half will only be 50%.

"On a positive note, starting from October 2024, a resolution by the Board of the Fund for Mandatory State Social Insurance in Case of Unemployment has increased the minimum benefit amounts for most categories of unemployed individuals to 3600 UAH. Thus, it can be concluded that the changes made to legislation have somewhat contributed to maintaining a balance of interests among the population while also ensuring the prudent use of budgetary funds," adds Voronkova.

It is important to note that, by law, one cannot indefinitely receive assistance as unemployed; therefore, there are two options: to find a job or to renew the "unemployed" status.