Subsidies in Ukraine: who will receive assistance in 2025 and who might be denied support.

In 2024, subsidies in Ukraine cover various sectors, including housing, healthcare, education, and other forms of assistance. However, starting from the end of 2024, the government announced plans to change the criteria for granting subsidies, which may affect the number of recipients in 2025. This information was published on the government portal.

One of the main trends is the alteration of subsidy issuance criteria. The government intends to introduce stricter criteria for receiving subsidies, which could lead to a reduction in the number of citizens eligible for these benefits. This is due to the need to optimize state expenditures and ensure fair distribution of resources.

The government plans to implement stricter criteria for receiving subsidies, which may result in a decrease in the number of citizens who will receive these benefits.

As noted by the Pension Fund, starting from December 1, 2024, subsidies in Ukraine will be assigned until the end of the heating season, i.e., until April 30, and this rule will also apply in 2025. The calculation will be made from the month of document submission.

Who will be eligible for a subsidy in 2025

Therefore, in January 2025, the following residents may apply for a subsidy:

• registered in housing;
• tenants with a valid rental agreement;
• internally displaced persons (IDPs);
• individual builders.

Additionally, the maximum amount of one-time expenses that may hinder receiving a subsidy has recently been increased. This amount is now set at 100,000 hryvnias. If the expenses were for a generator or other energy equipment, the maximum amount is 150,000 hryvnias.

From January 1, 2025, when submitting documents, family income for the second and third quarters of 2024 will be taken into account, while pension income will be considered for November 2024. A subsidy may be canceled if the applicant does not report changes in property or social status.

Even in the case of intensified electricity outages in January, the amount of the subsidy will remain unchanged. This is because the calculation of assistance is based on social consumption norms, and a decrease in the actual consumption of electricity does not affect the subsidy amount.

The government has emphasized that supporting the population remains one of the key goals of state policy. Accordingly, new state mechanisms are planned to ensure fair distribution of subsidies aimed at helping those most in need of support.

How to apply for a subsidy

Only those residents whose incomes are insufficient to pay for utilities in full have the right to receive a subsidy.

Many citizens work informally or receive minimum wage; however, this does not entitle them to a subsidy, as all bank accounts and large purchases of those who applied for a subsidy will be checked.

To confirm this, one must contact the social security department at their place of residence and provide the following documents:

• passport;
• application;
• rental agreement (if housing is rented) or proof of ownership;
• income declaration.

It is important to note that many citizens work informally or earn minimum wage. However, this does not grant eligibility for a subsidy, as all bank accounts and significant purchases of those who applied for a subsidy will be scrutinized. If it is found that the family has funds in their accounts, assistance will be denied.

How subsidies are calculated and who will be denied

Families eligible for state subsidies must submit all necessary documents between May 1 and September 1. Each adult family member fills out a declaration indicating:

• whether there is a bank deposit exceeding 25 minimum living standards;
• whether any currency or precious metals were purchased;
• whether there is ownership of a new personal vehicle (less than 5 years old);
• whether purchases exceeding 50,000 hryvnias were made;
• whether there is rental property not declared in the income declaration;
• whether inheritance of an apartment, car, or land plot was received within a year prior to the application;
• whether there are debts for alimony, utility services, fines, etc.

If at least one family member answers positively to any of the specified points, state payments for utility services will be denied.

If any family member owns more than one residential property (excluding housing in temporarily occupied territories or property owned jointly or in shares located in rural areas), the subsidy will not be granted. Those whose total apartment area exceeds 130 square meters or whose private house area exceeds 230 square meters will also be ineligible. Additionally, if a family member has been an alimony defaulter (for over three months), this will be grounds for denial of the subsidy application.

The Pension Fund has already reported that households lose their right to housing subsidy assignment if they have utility payment debts for three months or more, provided that such debt exceeds 40 non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens (680 hryvnias). However, if the debt payment is confirmed, or a restructuring agreement is accepted, or it is contested in court, the housing subsidy may still be granted.

There is also a high likelihood of not receiving a subsidy if any family member has not studied, officially worked, or held unemployed status, or has been abroad for more than 60 days in a year.

Formula for calculating subsidies in 2025

You can calculate your subsidy using a special formula: monthly income of one person / monthly minimum living standard / coefficient (in our case - 2) * 15%.

It is necessary to know the declared total family income for the two quarters prior to the allocation of funds.

You can calculate your subsidy using a special formula: monthly income of one person / monthly minimum living standard / coefficient (in our case - 2) * 15%

Note that until 2019, subsidies were provided in the form of benefits. Citizens received bills with lower amounts and sometimes were unaware of the actual tariffs for utility services. The calculation formulas used back then were also complex and inconvenient. Now, however, the system operates on a monetization principle. Residents receive cash for utility payments or on a special social payment card. Funds from the card can only be used for paying utility bills, and it is quite easy to find out that monthly payments have been received through SMS from the bank or via online banking or mobile banking applications.