Martial law and transformation of the social security system: issues of equality and access to assistance for internally displaced persons and the population of occupied territories

Abstract

The article examines the transformation processes in the social security system of Ukraine under martial law caused by the full-scale military aggression of the Russian Federation. The relevance of the topic is due to the need to ensure equality and justice in the distribution of social assistance among internally displaced persons and the population of temporarily occupied territories. It is noted that military actions have become a catalyst for profound structural changes in the field of social protection, which are manifested in the transition from traditional support mechanisms to digital and crisis-oriented social policy instruments. The purpose of the study is to analyze the current state of the social security system of Ukraine during martial law, identify key problems in ensuring equality and accessibility of social assistance, and develop proposals for improving state policy in this area. The methodological basis is made up of general scientific and special-legal methods, in particular: systemic, comparative-legal, formal-legal, structural-functional and content analysis. Empirical materials, statistical data and judicial practice on the implementation of social rights of IDPs and citizens from occupied territories were used.

The results of the study showed that the existing model of social security during martial law retains signs of fragmentation and inequality in access to assistance. The digitalization of social services (in particular, through the “Diya” application) has significantly increased the efficiency of accounting and payments, but at the same time created barriers for vulnerable groups - the elderly, people without access to the Internet and residents of remote or occupied territories. The problem of social integration of internally displaced persons requires special attention, since state policy is currently focused mainly on short-term financial payments, and not on sustainable mechanisms for employment, housing support or social adaptation. The scientific novelty lies in the comprehensive analysis of the transformation of Ukraine’s social policy during martial law, taking into account the factors of territorial isolation and digital inequality. Conceptual directions for reforming the social security system are proposed, based on the principles of inclusiveness, intersectoral interaction, and international cooperation.