The Ministry of Social Policy has introduced a new mechanism for providing one-off financial assistance for the winter period.
Social Policy Minister Denys Ulyutin told LB.ua.
Around 350,000 families living in areas of active or possible hostilities within 50 kilometres of the frontline or border will receive UAH 19,400 per household.
To fund the programme, the Ministry of Social Policy has resumed the operation of a special humanitarian account at the National Bank of Ukraine. International partners, including UNICEF and the Red Cross, have already transferred UAH 2.2 billion to support residents of frontline areas.
“We have jointly identified 11 categories of the most vulnerable people. They will all receive UAH 19,400 per household. These include recipients of housing subsidies for purchasing liquefied gas and solid or liquid household heating fuel; recipients of housing subsidies for utility payments; single non-working people of retirement age; single mothers and single fathers; people receiving childbirth assistance; large families; families raising people with disabilities; internally displaced families, except those temporarily accommodated in free shelters; family-type children’s homes; foster families; and families of respite carers. The funds are not directly tied to any specific expenses or services, whether for solid fuel or otherwise,” Uliutin said.He stressed that the funds would not be tied to any specific expenses or services.
This year's programme will cover not only rural residents who need firewood or wood heating, but also people living in apartment blocks. Taking into account the experience of previous power and heating outages, the government will address the needs of urban residents in frontline regions.
Applications are expected to open in early September, immediately after the Cabinet of Ministers approves the relevant resolution. The ministry plans to complete all payments during October and November so that people can use the money before the cold weather arrives.
The money will be transferred to recipients' bank card accounts or, where this is not possible, paid through Ukrposhta branches, the minister added.