Oschadbank Freezes Social Benefits: How Debtors Can Regain Access to Their Funds.

Social Benefit Freezes at Oschadbank

According to Novyny.live: When a debtor’s account is seized, Oschadbank may block social benefit payments, creating serious challenges for those who need to use at least part of their money. To access these funds, customers must first obtain permission from the enforcement service—a process that not everyone finds straightforward.

In 2026, the guaranteed monthly limit for using seized funds will be 17,294 UAH. This figure is significant because Ukraine’s minimum monthly wage that year will be 8,647 UAH. Debtors are entitled to use a portion of their frozen money each month, but they must follow several steps. After submitting the required documents, the enforcement officer has two business days to make a decision.

Barriers to Accessing Frozen Money

One example of the problem involves 14,000 UAH in child support that was blocked. This creates extra hardship for families who depend on those funds to care for their children. As one affected customer explained:

'I came to the branch on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, because I live abroad due to the war and couldn't come earlier.'

This case shows that debtors often face unique circumstances that make it harder to get the required permission to access their money.

To gain access to seized funds, debtors are advised to follow these steps:

• submit a written request to the enforcement officer;
• include the account number and the bank’s name;
• ask the officer to designate the account for fund access.

On the government portal, the woman was advised to immediately file a complaint with the National Bank of Ukraine. This highlights how crucial it is for people to know their rights and available options when dealing with blocked social payments.

Oschadbank has extended the validity of its cards until December 31, 2023. While this allows customers to continue using their accounts, the issue of accessing frozen funds remains pressing—especially for those in difficult life situations.

The freezing of social benefits in debtors’ accounts in Ukraine underscores the need to protect consumer rights, particularly amid economic strain. It is essential for debtors to understand what steps to take in such cases and to have access to the right information and resources. Although extending Oschadbank card validity through the end of 2023 may ease some financial pressure, the broader challenge of accessing seized funds still demands more attention from both the government and financial institutions.