Photo: Yulia Svyrydenko / Telegram
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that after discussions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian government is preparing a new support package for citizens.
In a post on social media, she said the program will provide assistance to pensioners and vulnerable groups.
According to Svyrydenko, the ₴1,500 payment will be received by:
- age pensioners;
- people receiving disability benefits;
- low-income citizens;
- recipients of basic social assistance;
- internally displaced persons;
- families with children.
In total, the payments will cover nearly 13 million people. The money will be transferred via Ukrposhta or through special bank accounts.
Cost of the program
The payments are expected to cost the Ukrainian budget ₴19.5 billion. This was highlighted by member of parliament Yaroslav Zhelezniak.
He noted that the state budget already has a ₴400 billion funding gap for the army, and current funds are expected to last only until the end of April.
Zhelezniak argued that if the ₴19.5 billion were directed to soldiers who receive the minimum salary of ₴20,000, their monthly pay could increase by more than ₴10,000 until the end of the year.
Fuel cashback program
The second part of the support package is a fuel cashback program, which Svyrydenko said will operate until May 1 at gas stations participating in the initiative.
Under the program, citizens will receive state compensation of:
- 15% cashback on diesel fuel;
- 10% cashback on gasoline;
- 5% cashback on autogas.
Earlier, Zelenskyy said the initiative is aimed at helping people who are under particular pressure due to instability in the fuel market and rising energy prices.
