A man is asked to repay social assistance funds after earning 80,000 hryvnias from car sales. Here’s the court's decision on the matter.

The man was receiving state assistance for a low-income family. However, it was revealed that he sold two cars and earned 80,000 hryvnias. Therefore, he is required to return the excessively paid funds amounting to 12,826 hryvnias for the period from August 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024. This is stated in the decision of the Rivne City Court, published on December 9, 2024.

According to the application submitted on August 28, 2023, the man was assigned and received state assistance for a low-income family for the period from August 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024. During the verification of information, it was established that he had moved a vehicle across the customs border of Ukraine. Additionally, during the income declaration period, he received income from the sale of a Volkswagen Golf, 1998 model, for 30,000 hryvnias on April 11, 2023, and a MAZDA 5 for 50,000 hryvnias on May 13, 2023.

"When applying for assistance, the defendant did not disclose the income from the sale of vehicles in Section II of the declaration. As a result of the defendant providing false information, the plaintiff made an excessive calculation and payment of assistance funds to low-income families for the period from August 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024, in the amount of 12,826 hryvnias," the case materials state.

What was the court's decision?

The court granted the claim. The man is to repay the excess funds amounting to 12,826 hryvnias to the Department of Social Policy of the Rivne City Council.

"The defendant received state social assistance for a low-income family from August 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024; however, he did not notify the relevant social protection department about the income received from the sale of vehicles and did not disclose this in the declaration submitted on August 28, 2023, which led to the excessive allocation of state assistance. Thus, the citizen acted in bad faith, which is grounds for returning the unjustly received funds to the plaintiff. Considering the established circumstances of the case, the court concluded that the state social assistance for a low-income family for the period from August 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024, totaling 12,826 hryvnias, was transferred and paid to the defendant without sufficient legal grounds, due to the defendant's deliberate failure to notify about information affecting the assignment of assistance. Since the defendant did not voluntarily return the 12,826 hryvnias to the plaintiff, the specified amount should be recovered in favor of the plaintiff. Under these circumstances, the claim should be fully granted," the court stated.