On October 30, 2026, the Public Defender of Georgia issued a general recommendation to the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia. The recommendation addresses the age restrictions currently applied when granting social packages to veterans of the Defense Forces, as well as the issue of ensuring equal treatment.

The case was initiated following an appeal from a veteran of the Defense Forces, who is a person with a significant disability and a recipient of state compensation. Under current regulations, veterans of the Defense Forces who receive state compensation are granted a social package only upon reaching the retirement age. Due to this restriction, the applicant is unable to access the relevant social assistance.

The examination of the case revealed a discrepancy between the conditions for granting social packages to war veterans and those applicable to veterans of the Defense Forces. Specifically, war veterans are eligible to receive a social package of an equivalent value even before reaching retirement age, whereas an age restriction applies to veterans of the Defense Forces who receive state compensation. In the assessment of the Public Defender, no objective or reasonable justification for this differential treatment could be identified during the review of the case.

The Public Defender highlighted the fact that the establishment of social guarantees for both categories of veterans is rooted in the recognition of their military service to the State, as well as the associated risks and needs. Furthermore, the need for social protection, rehabilitation and integration into society may arise well before an individual reaches retirement age.

It should be noted that this issue is not limited to the applicant’s individual case but extends to a broader group of individuals holding the relevant status. According to available data, there are 163 veterans of the Defense Forces, who have not yet reached retirement age and are not currently receiving a social package. In light of the above, the Public Defender has addressed the Ministry, requesting that, during the planning process for the 2027 state budget, it consider allocating the financial resources necessary to provide a social package for veterans of the Defense Forces, who receive state compensation but have not yet reached retirement age.

The Public Defender’s general proposal aims to facilitate equal access to social protection mechanisms for this category of veterans and to provide a systemic solution to the issue.