Who Deserves Support During Wartime? Reactions of Ukrainian Internally Displaced Persons to Benefit Cuts

Abstract

This article explores the responses of Ukrainian internally displaced persons (IDPs) to recent cuts in the living allowance program introduced during the ongoing war. Drawing on original survey data collected in late 2024, it examines whether IDPs support the restriction of their welfare benefits and studies the extent to which IDPs' attitudes can be explained with self-interest and deservingness perceptions. In contrast with the expectation that welfare recipients would oppose retrenchment, the majority of surveyed IDPs endorsed limiting assistance to low-income and vulnerable groups and excluding able-bodied unemployed individuals from benefits. These findings highlight the role that perceptions of deservingness play in shaping welfare preferences among directly affected populations. This case contributes to broader study of wartime society by highlighting the perspectives of one of the groups most deeply impacted by the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine.