Social support for citizens of Ukraine

More information: https://www.lm.gov.lv/en/social-support-citizens-ukraine

Who can apply for support? When can support be received?

Members of Ukrainian civil population, after having received statement on crisis situation from the municipal social service, are entitled to support within framework of the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD).

What goods are provided?

A single person can receive the following once every three months:

• 2 food packages;
• 1 package of hygiene articles and household items;
• 2 additional children food packages if family has small children aged 7 to 24 months;
• 1 additional package of hygiene articles if family has small children aged up to 2 years.

In addition, families with children in primary and lower secondary school age can receive one package of study supplies.

Hot soup kitchens are also operated as a part of FEAD; here, meals can be received without a statement on crisis situation and without presenting any other documents.

Where can people receive support?

FEAD support can be received at more than 470 local facilities  throughout entire Latvia. Latest information about sites for provision of support, soup kitchens and their working hours is available online at the website https://www.atbalstapakas.lv/atbalsta-vietas

If necessary, members of Ukrainian civil population are entitled to apply for the following benefits from the municipal social service according to their place of accommodation or residence in the household:

• support of EUR 109 for the first person and EUR 76 for for each subsequent person in household of a Ukrainian civilian
• a one-off crisis benefit in situation of crisis: EUR 272 per adult and EUR 190 per child
• other material support or social services according to the individual needs of the person.

For the first three calendar months, Ukrainian civilians will be entitled to social services and social assistance without assessment of the material situation.

Who is entitled to be employed?

All civilians of Ukraine are entitled to be employed without limitations – for a period of up to one year.

What documents are required?

Initially, the person is required to obtain the necessary documents at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) [Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvalde/PMLP] of the Republic of Latvia in order to acquire a long-term visa with the right to employment in Latvia.

Contact information for OCMA: https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/lv/informacija-ukrainas-pilsoniem.

Where can I find support in my search for employment?

The State Employment Agency (SEA) [Nodarbinātības valsts aģentūra/NVA] offers information on vacancies, as well as ensures co-operation with employers in finding their future employees.

Free telephone number arranged by SEA for Ukrainian civilians about employment opportunities, services offered by SEA and the obtaining of status of an unemployed – 80 200 206.

What kind of support will be offered?

The SEA provides the opportunity to participate in activities that promote successful search for employment, such as career counselling, information about the Latvian labour market, courses of Latvian language, etc.

When the person is starting his/her new employment, the SEA will pay out a one-time start-up allowance in the amount of one minimum monthly salary (500 euros).

Will I be able to work without Latvian language skills?

The employer will be allowed to employ Ukrainian civilians without knowledge of the Latvian language, insofar as it does not interfere with performance of the work duties. It will be the employer's responsibility to provide communication for needs of employment performance.  

Exceptions for certain professions

Exceptions are provided for certain professions, for example, civilians of Ukraine will be able to be employed as medical practitioners without taking into account the statutory requirements for the recognition of regulated professions, but only under the guidance of a certified specialist in the relevant profession, whose employment period in the relevant speciality is not less than five years after obtaining the certificate of a medical practitioner. Nurses and nurse assistants will be able to work under the supervision of a registered nurse with at least five years' experience in the profession. Employment will be possible provided that the necessary communication can be ensured (eg., by means of a translator).

Emergency guardians who exert care for under-aged Ukrainian civilians left without their parental attendance are entitled to the following support:

Remuneration for providing the help and care of an emergency guardian

EUR 171 per month irrespectively of the number of children

Monthly benefit for child's food items shall be no less than the following amount:
EUR 215 for a child below 7 years of age
EUR 258 for a child aged 7-18

Financial support for procuring children clothing and furnishings (e.g., bed linen, blankets, pillows, mattresses)

In accordance with the amount provided for in the binding regulations of the municipality, as determined for children placed in a foster family (may be substituted by issuing clothes, shoes and other things necessary for the child)

To receive the support, the emergency guardian shall submit a written application at the local municipality the Family court [Bāriņtiesa] of which has adopted the decision on appointing the respective emergency guardian. Support shall be disbursed from financial resources of the said local municipality.

Local municipality may take further decisions on granting additional required services with the aim to improve the child's social situation.

After reaching the age of majority, the municipality continues to pay child support until the child reaches the age of 19.

Support disbursements by the municipality are compensated from the state budget.

1. The child has arrived in Latvia without a parent or a close adult

The child has not arrived in a group with other children from an orphanage.

• The family or person who has acquired status of a foster family, guardian, adopter or host family – may apply to the Family Court [Bāriņtiesa] with an application to be appointed as the emergency guardian.
• After end of the war in Ukraine, the children will be returned to their country, where, in accordance with Ukrainian law, the situation of each child will be assessed and decisions on the child's future care will appropriately be made. Consequently, adoption as such of these children in Latvia is prohibited.

2. In case a child has – without the parents – arrived to Latvia to visit acquaintances, relatives or friends

• An adult person from the family must apply to the Family Court [Bāriņtiesa] in their municipality in order to appoint him or her as the emergency guardian for the child.
• The Family Court [Bāriņtiesa] will assess the suitability of these adults, as well as find out the child's opinion on the establishment of emergency custody, if the child can formulate such an opinion, taking into account his or her age and degree of maturity.

3. In case a child has arrived to Latvia with another Ukrainian family, but without the parents

• This family shall apply to the Family Court [Bāriņtiesa] to be appointed as the emergency guardian. The Family Court [Bāriņtiesa] shall consider the possibility of appointing an emergency guardian for the child from among the said family.
• The Family Court [Bāriņtiesa] shall interview the potential emergency guardian, finding out all the information about the relationship with the particular child, motivation and ability to become an emergency guardian. The Family Court [Bāriņtiesa] shall in all cases ascertain the child's opinion, taking into account the age and degree of maturity.

4. In case a group of children from the Ukrainian orphanage arrive to Latvia

• Children are placed in care together, keeping their last safety pillar – acquaintances or the people they know. The Family Court [Bāriņtiesa] appoints the head of the childcare institution as the legal representative of the children.

If the children are stating that they do not want to get separated from each other and be placed in a family environment, the Family Court [Bāriņtiesa] may, taking into account the children's views, disregard the possibility of establishing emergency guardianship for the children.

An employee of the Family Court [Bāriņtiesa] shall make a unilateral decision within two working days regarding the placement of the child in a child care institution.

1. The child has arrived in Latvia without parents or an adult known to him or her

The child has not arrived in a group with other children of the orphan home.

• A family or a person who has acquired the status of a foster family, guardian, adopter or host family may apply to the orphan's and custody court to be appointed as an emergency guardian.
• After the end of the military activities, the children will be returned to Ukraine, where, in accordance with the regulatory enactments of Ukraine, the situation of each child will be evaluated and decisions regarding the further care for the child will be made according to it. Consequently, the adoption of these children in Latvia is prohibited.

2. The child has arrived in Latvia to acquaintances, relatives or friends without his or her parents

• An adult from the family must apply to the orphan's and custody court of his or her self-government for his or her appointment as the child's emergency guardian.
• The orphan's and custody court will evaluate the suitability of these adults, as well as will ascertain the child's opinion regarding the establishment of emergency custody, if the child can formulate it, taking into account his or her age and degree of maturity.

3. The child has arrived in Latvia together with another Ukrainian family, but without his or her parents

• This family must apply to the orphan's and custody court to be appointed as an emergency guardian. The orphan's and custody court examines the possibility of appointing one of the family members as the child’s emergency guardian.
• The orphan's and custody court talks with the potential emergency guardian, ascertaining all information regarding the relationship with the specific child, the motivation and abilities to become an emergency guardian. The orphan's and custody court must ascertain the child's opinion, age and degree of maturity.

4. If a group of children from a Ukrainian orphan home arrives in Latvia

• Children are placed in care institutions together, maintaining their last safety support – people known to them. The orphan's and custody court appoints the head of the childcare institution as the legal representative of the children.

If the children have stated that they do not want to be separated and placed in a family environment, the orphan's and custody court, taking into account the children's opinions, may not evaluate the possibility of establishing emergency guardianship for the children.

An employee of the orphan's and custody court within two working days makes a unilateral decision regarding the placement of the child in a childcare institution.

Benefits for families with children will be provided to those civilians of Ukraine who, along with their children, are staying in Latvia.

Single Benefit at Childbirth

Childbirth allowance is a single-time benefit that can be received by one of the parents for each child born. Amount of the benefit is EUR 421.17.

Ukrainian civilians have the right to receive childbirth allowance if the child was born in Latvia after February 24, 2022.

The benefit is also granted in certain situations if an emergency guardian has been appointed for the respective child. In that case, the benefit is granted if the emergency guardian status has been established until the child reaches the age of one year and the benefit has not already been paid out to another person.

Childcare allowance

This benefit is granted to one of the child's parents:

• for a child aged up to 18 months – EUR 171 a month;
• for a child aged 18 months to 2 years – EUR 42.69 a month.

If twins or triplets have been born in the family, the following supplement benefit for the care of each subsequent child shall be granted in addition to the basic amount of childcare allowance:

• for a parent who exerts parental care for twins or more children born in the same birth up to age of 18 months – EUR 171 a month for each subsequent child;
• for a parent who exerts parental care for twins or more children born in the same birth from the age of 18 months to 2 years – EUR 42.69 a month for each subsequent child.

State family benefit

This benefit is granted to one of the child's parents: 

• for one child – EUR 25 a month;
• for two children – EUR 100 (EUR 50 for each) a month;
• for three children – EUR 225 (EUR 75 for each) a month;
• for four and more children – EUR 100 for each child every month.

The benefit is granted for each child being brought up in the family from the age of 1 to 16 years. If the child continues to attend general or vocational education school after the age of 16, the benefit continues to be paid until the age of 20, unless the young person gets married.

Childcare allowance and state family benefit are granted and paid to Ukrainian civilians for the period for which their residence document has been issued in Latvia – i.e., their long-term visa or temporary residence permit, however, no earlier than March 5, 2022.

! The payment of childcare allowance and state family benefit shall be terminated if the recipient of the benefit or the child for whom the benefit has been granted leaves the Republic of Latvia for permanent residence abroad.

! If the child's other parent works or resides in another EU or EEA country, the provisions of Regulation 883/04 shall apply.

! In order to receive state social benefits, an application must be submitted to the State Social Insurance Agency [Valsts sociālās apdrošināšanas aģentūra].

The following services paid for by Latvian state and provided by Latvian Association of the Deaf (LAD) are available:

• Sign language interpreter’s services in communication with other natural persons and legal entities up to 120 hours annually.
  
  When receiving the service, the person produces an identity document confirming the person's compliance with the status of a person mentioned in Sec. 1 of the Law on Support of Ukrainian Civilians.
  
  You can apply for the service by contacting the LAD Rehabilitation Centre:
  Phone:  +371 26184246 (WhatsApp, SMS)
  E-mail: help@lns.lv 

• Social rehabilitation services (mastering Latvian sign language, mastering and improvement of creative self-expression skills, psychologist’s consultations, help and support in solving social problems)
  
  In order to receive a technical aid, you must:
• submit an application to the LAD;
• present an identity document confirming the person's compliance with the status of a person mentioned in Sec. 1 of the Law on Support of Ukrainian Civilians (e. g., long-term visa, residence permit, etc.)

Additional information, when contacting social workers: 
in sign language (WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram Messenger) +371 26869512 
voice call/SMS +371 26446614

• Technical aids (hearing aids, watches with vibration and/or light signal, digital visual communication devices, signalling devices with vibration and/or light signal for supervising children and caretakers, etc.) if hearing loss in the better-hearing ear is at least 55 dB, for children – at least 15 dB.
  
  In order to receive a technical aid, you must: 
• submit an application to the LAD;
• submit an opinion of an attending physician for receipt of a technical aid to the LAD;
• present an identity document confirming the person's compliance with the status of a person mentioned in Sec. 1 of the Law on Support of Ukrainian Civilians (e. g., long-term visa, residence permit, etc.)

Additional information contacting the LAD Secretary – phone/SMS: +371 26278525; e-mail: lns@lns.lv
Sign Language Centre Executive Director: phone/SMS: +371 29643789; +371 29196805; e-mail: surdocentrs@surdocentrs.lv
 

The documents required for a person with functional visual impairments to receive aids.

1. An opinion of the attending physician (Annex to the Cabinet Regulation No. 265 “Opinion for the receipt of a technical aid”);
2. A free form application specifying personal data or using the form available at www.lnbiedriba.lv;
3. An identity document confirming the person's compliance with the status of a person mentioned in Sec. 1 of the Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians (for example, a long-stay visa, residence permit, etc.)
4. A document confirming the right of representation, if an aid is necessary for an underage person.

The documents can be submitted to any territorial organization of the Latvian Society of the Blind.

Contacts: tiflotehnika@lnbiedriba.lv
+371 29195034

 https://lnbiedriba.lv/lv/pakalpojumi/tiflotehnika/

What technical aids can be applied for?

• Tonometer with speech function
• Glucometer with speech function (endocrinologist’s opinion specifying that the person has pancreatic diabetes is necessary to receive)
• Body thermometer with speech function
• Body scales with speech function
• Food scales with speech function
• Fluid level gauge

These technical aids may not be received if the person is under full state maintenance

• Tactile white cane (foldable/non-foldable)
• Magnifier with or without light
• Electronical magnifying aid
• Eye prostheses
• Light absorption filters
• Braille frame
• Braille typewriter
• Tactile computer display (it is necessary to submit a confirmation of a social worker of the society on the ability to use the tactile computer display to receive it)
• Player
• Dictaphone (a statement from the workplace or educational institution confirming that the person is working or studying is necessary to receive it)
• Character reader (a statement from the workplace or educational institution confirming that the person is working or studying is necessary to receive it)
• Hand watch or table clock with speech function or Braille
• Computer software for enlarging or reading text (LV)
• Mobile phone application (LV) (Android) or mobile network phone (LV)
• Pen with speech function
• Sound recording and playing device (Daisy)
• Computer display with sound (LV)
• Thermometer for measuring climatic conditions with speech function
• Colour detector with speech function
• Glasses (telescopic or binocular)
• Telescope (monocular)

The catalogue of technical aids can be viewed at:  https://lnbiedriba.lv/lv/pakalpojumi/tiflotehnika/

Territorial organizations of the Latvian Society of the Blind:

Balvi
Brīvības iela 47, LV-4501
Phone 28342834
E-mail: balvi_lnb@inbox.lv

Jelgava
O. Kalpaka iela 16, LV-3001
Phone 63023165, 29224867
E-mail: jelgava_to@inbox.lv

Rīga
Braila iela 3, 2. stāvs, LV-1024
Phone 67277344, 29474225
E-mail: lnbrpo@inbox.lv

Jēkabpils
Brīvības iela 126, LV-5201
Phone 20003365
E-mail: lnb_jekabpils@inbox.lv

Cēsis
Kr. Valdemāra iela 13, LV-4101
Phone 64122761, 26108901
E-mail: lnbvidzeme@inbox.lv

Jūrmala
Kapteiņa Zolta iela 121, Kauguri, LV-2016
Phone 20703083
E-mail: jurmalas_to@inbox.lv

Strazdumuiža
Braila iela 5, Rīga, LV-1024
Phone 67532542
E-mail: strazdumuizasto@inbox.lv

Rēzekne
Bukmuižas iela 20, LV-4601
Phone 64622167, 22042418
E-mail: lnb_rezekne@inbox.lv

Ventspils
Baldones iela 16, LV-3601
Phone 63622519
E-mail: ventspils_lnb@inbox.lv

Liepāja
Ganību iela 197/205, LV-3407
Phone 63431535
E-mail: info@redzigaismu.lv

Social rehabilitation

The documents required for a person with functional visual impairment to receive social rehabilitation:

1. An identity document confirming the person's compliance with the status of a person mentioned in Sec. 1 of the Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians;
2. A document confirming the right of representation, if the child’s parent or guardian writes the application.
3. An opinion of the attending physician confirming the type of the person’s functional impairment (vision) and that the social rehabilitation service is necessary or the SMCAHCWA statement (or decision) that the person has visual disability;
4. An application for the receipt of the service which can be completed in the LSB RC in Riga or in any other RC branch.

Contacts: lnbrc@lnbrc.lv
+371 67532324, 20026501

Social rehabilitation services

The social rehabilitation service lasts up to 378 hours (in any branch) or 63 days (only in Riga or Liepaja) for first-time customers.

• Cooking;
• Moving safely indoors and outdoors;
• Handling banknotes, shopping;
• Keep his or her clothes, place of living in order;
• Working on a computer and mobile phone using "talking" and images;
• Magnifying software;
• Implementing his or her creative abilities by creating various works with his or her own hands – beading, weaving baskets, dovetailing, felting;
• Reading and writing in Braille;
• Using various technical aids.

It is also possible in the rehabilitation centre to:

• exercise in gym;
• receive consultations of a psychologist, social worker and other specialists.

Rehabilitation centre branches:

Rīgas filiāle
Braila iela 10, Rīga, LV-1024
Phone 67532324, 20026501
E-mail: lnbrc@lnbrc.lv

Jelgavas filiāle
Pulkveža O. Kalpaka iela 16-302, Jelgava, LV-3001
Phone 63023165
E-mail: ilze.makarova@lnbrc.lv

Jūrmalas filiāle
Kapteiņa Zolta iela 121, Jūrmala, LV-2016
Phone 20030543
E-mail: iveta.vilka@lnbrc.lv

Liepājas filiāle
Ganību iela 197/205, Liepāja, LV-3407
Phone 63431535
E-mail: maris.ceirulis@lnbrc.lv

Rēzeknes filiāle
Bukmuižas iela 20, Rēzekne, LV-4600
Phone 64622167
E-mail: valentina.lansberga@lnbrc.lv

Ventspils filiāle
Baldones iela 16, Ventspils, LV-3601
Phone 63622519
E-mail: zinta.enina@lnbrc.lv

Balvu filiāle
Brīvības iela 47-49, Balvi, LV-4501
Phone. 64521682
E-mail: gunta.zepa@lnbrc.lv

Cēsu filiāle
Kr. Valdemāra iela 11, Cēsis, LV-4101
Phone 64122761
E-mail: zaiga.liepina@lnbrc.lv

Daugavpils filiāle
Čiekuru iela 5-2b, Daugavpils, LV-5413
Phone 65439049, 20029325
E-mail: elita.haritonova@lnbrc.lv

Vaivari Technical Aids Centre (hereinafter – VTAC) of the NRC Vaivari provides the Ukrainian civilians with technical aids included in Annex 2 “Technical Aids” of the Cabinet Regulation No. 878 “Regulations on Technical Aids”.

In order to receive the technical aid service (a technical aid), you must submit to VTAC:

• an opinion issued by a physician for receipt of a technical aid (original copy) (the opinion form is specified in Annex 89 to the Cabinet Regulation No. 265 of 4 April 2006 “Procedure for the Medical Document Recordkeeping”);
• a copy of an identity document.

The physician must specify the name, surname of the person who needs a technical aid, including children, a description of functioning disorders and recommendations in the opinion for receipt of a technical aid.

The physician must specify the recommended type of a technical aid in the opinion in accordance with Annex 2 “Technical aids” to the mentioned Cabinet Regulation.

The opinion must be dated, signed and have a personal stamp of the attending physician.

Contact details of the person or the person’s representative – address and phone number must also be specified in the physician’s opinion for VTAC to be able to contact the person.

In order to confirm the person’s status, a copy of visa, residence permit, asylum seeker's certificate or a copy of another document issued to the person must also be attached.

A technical aid for an underage civilian citizen of Ukraine not accompanied by parents (unaccompanied child) is requested and received by a designated emergency guardian.

Documents can be sent to VTAC by post to Ventspils iela 53, Riga, LV-1002.

If the physician has signed the opinion with a secure electronic signature, a copy of the opinion and identity document, as well as a copy of visa, residence permit, asylum seeker's certificate or other document conforming the status issued to the person can also be sent electronically to VTAC e-mail: vtpc@nrc.lv.

Documents can also be submitted in person during opening hours at VTAC divisions:

Riga, Ventspils iela 53;
Kuldiga, Jelgavas iela 60;
Rezekne, Atbrivosanas aleja 81.

Opening hours:    

Monday               8:30-16:30
Tuesday              8:30-17:30
Wednesday        13:00-16:30 (no customer service on the first Wednesday of each month)
Thursday            8:30-16:30
Friday                  8:30-15:30.

More information by calling +371 66 955 665 or e-mailing to vtpc@nrc.lv.

Intended for – people with severe and very severe functional disorders.

The purpose – to facilitate a person's possibilities to get from their place of residence to various service provision places, including state and municipal institutions.

Who grants – the municipal social service in the territory of municipality of which the person lives.

What is assessed – the social service assesses the person's actual need for the service by assessing mobility and mental abilities outside the home environment using a questionnaire. Hours for using the service are determined by the social service.

How to receive – the social service will conclude an agreement with a person who will be obliged to provide an assistant’s service to a Ukrainian civilian for a certain number of hours per month. The Ukrainian civilian agrees with the assistant when and where he/she will go and the assistant's support will be necessary.

Intended for – a Ukrainian civilian who in accordance with the laws of Ukraine is determined disability group I or the status of a child with disability, which is confirmed by a document confirming disability issued in Ukraine (decision, opinion or disability certificate).

The purpose – to promote the mobility of people with very severe disability and children with disability.

Who issues – Road Traffic Safety Directorate (RTSD) Customer Service Centre.

For how long a parking card is issued – for one year.

What documents must be submitted to receive a parking card:

• an identity document or a document confirming that the person is a Ukrainian civilian must be produced;
• a document confirming the disability group I or the status of a child with disability in Ukraine;
• the person’s photograph (3 x 4 cm);
• a document confirming the payment for the issue of a disabled parking use card. The fee for the issue of the disabled parking use card is paid by the service recipient (86 cents).

Additional information: phone 67025723; e-mail: aivis.ozolins@csdd.gov.lv.

If 24h social rehabilitation service is required due to a psycho-emotional condition, it is provided by the Social Integration State Agency (SISA) – up to 30 days.

• The social service of the local government in the territory of which the person's temporary place of residence in Latvia has been determined registers the person
• A psychologist of the social service evaluates the necessity of the psycho-emotional rehabilitation course
• The social service sends the psychologist’s opinion and the person's consent to receive the service to the SISA
• The SISA contact person contacts the social services regarding the day of the person's arrival
• The person arrives to SISA to receive the service
• The SISA contact person contacts the social service regarding the day of the person's discharge and the availability of transport

SISA contact person: Daiga Reinberga, e-mail: daiga.reinberga@siva.gov.lv, phone +371 26603310

Persons who suffered from physical, emotional, etc., violence as a result of the Russian Federation's assault on Ukraine are entitled to receive support from the state budget to mitigate the consequences of violence.

The service for children who suffered from violence is provided by the Children’s Foundation of Latvia.

Brivibas gatve 310 - 75, Riga, LV - 1006
E-mail: bernufonds [@] latnet.lv
Vice President: Vaira Vucane
Phone: 67542072. 

In order to receive the service, the legal representative of the child submits an application to the social service of the person's place of residence and the local government’s social service of the place of residence provides an opinion regarding the necessity of the service.

The service for the adult persons who suffered from violence is provided by a service provider attracted by the local government of the place of residence. A specialist’s opinion regarding the necessity of the service is required to receive the service.

One of the providers of the service is MARTA Centre. 

Psychosocial rehabilitation for oncology patients and their relatives

The Oncology Patient Support Association “Dzīvības koks” wants to help and provide support to people who have fled the horror war in Ukraine and have taken refuge in Latvia. We offer psychosocial rehabilitation programs for oncology patients and their relatives. Psychosocial rehabilitation is a 6-day program during which classes are offered under the guidance of a psychologist / psychotherapist, art therapist, physiotherapist and other specialists. The program is state-supported; it is prepared and provided in accordance with Cabinet Regulation No. 780 “On Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services for Persons with Oncological Diagnosis and Their Relatives”. Residents of Ukraine who have arrived in Latvia as asylum seekers are also entitled to receive this service in Latvia.

Psychosocial rehabilitation

Thousands of people who have been forced to leave their homes have arrived in Latvia, who have turned their internal resources into a mode of survival, which helps to overcome abnormal stress and live with experiences.

If we talk about cancer, then the oncological disease itself affects different areas of life, changes the usual way of life, creates physical and emotional experiences. And it is safe to say that losing ground under the feet of refugees is a double and a triple stress, as there must also be clarity about the treatments, examinations and other manipulations needed to maintain life and health. Therefore, we remind you once again that asylum seekers from Ukraine have access to all the same health and social care as Latvian residents! (Information www.vm.gov.lv)

That is why we offer people with oncological diseases to participate in a psychosocial rehabilitation program together with their relatives. In the program, it will be possible to manage stress together with specialists, receive support for evaluating the new situation, help to understand how to continue living with a diagnosis while in Latvia.

What makes up a program?

• It is a 6-day program during which participants live in a guest house by the lake.

• The program places great emphasis on group therapy under the guidance of a psychologist / psychotherapist and an art therapist.

• Individual consultations with specialists are also provided.

• The psychosocial rehabilitation program pays close attention to physical activity.

• During the psychosocial rehabilitation program, a family atmosphere is created, which also ensures and promotes mutual support, awareness and stability.

How do I apply for the program?

The application for the program is done electronically, but our application forms are only in Latvian, then please call: 67625339, 26323636, 29235677….,

or write to e-mail: dzivibaskoks@dzivibaskoks.lv. We can provide communication in Russian, English and Latvian. We offer a rehabilitation program in Russian.

What you need to apply to the program:

• Identity document (issued in Ukraine);

• Has an asylum seeker's certificate been issued in Latvia;

• Proof of oncological diagnosis, which may be an extract from a medical institution in Ukraine, or an extract / recommendation if you are registered in a Latvian health care institution / doctor.

Volunteer MENTOR can also help!

The volunteer mentors of the Oncology Patient Support Society "Tree of Life" are people who have gone through the diagnosis themselves and are ready to provide support to others. This means that a mentor can:

1. share your experience of treatment, examinations, etc .;

2. Based on your experience, also recommend where and how to apply, how to ensure the availability of timely examinations and other manipulations;

3. if necessary, indicate where to look for information;

4. Become a support and interlocutor if needed.

How to get a mentor?

1. If you have come to Latvia and feel insecure about how to proceed with your diagnosis (yourself or a relative) and are worried about how to go through everything, call 26323636.

2. There will be a representative of the "Tree of Life" who asks about the situation to know which of the mentors would be the most suitable.

3. The information will be passed on to the mentor, the mentor will call the person in need of advice.

4. The way in which consultations and negotiations continue depends on the length and severity of the conversation.

What Mentors Can Do: Mentors can help by sharing experiences that are unique to everyone. At the same time, if the mentor has gone through a similar situation and diagnosis as the caller, then it can definitely help!

What mentors cannot and will never do: Mentors will never provide information about treatment or treatment over the phone!

Each person's experience (even in case of similar diagnoses) is unique! Much depends on how we are able to mobilize our own strength and will, realizing that illness is a stage in life that needs to be overcome!

Life goes on AFTER cancer!