Subsidies and utility benefits renewed: how Ukrainians will receive assistance starting from January.

Ukraine has implemented a new system for providing utility benefits and subsidies starting January 1, 2025. Now, the main criterion for receiving assistance is the family's income level. The change is that all categories of citizens will be assessed based on a single principle - checking the family's income. Previously, some beneficiaries received aid regardless of their financial status.

An exception to the new rule has been made for combatants and individuals with disabilities incurred as a result of the war. These changes will be implemented throughout 2025.

These changes are included in the Law 'On the State Budget for 2025'. Since 2015, many beneficiaries have already received utility benefits based on the assessment of their families' incomes. However, some categories of citizens received benefits automatically. This will no longer be the case.

At the same time, the government approved a bill on monetized benefits, which will create mechanisms through which beneficiaries will be required to use cash benefits to pay for utility services.

The problem is that some beneficiaries do not use the funds for their intended purpose. This leads to an increase in debts to critical infrastructure enterprises.

Prime Minister Oleksiy Shmyhal announced the launch of a rental subsidy program for internally displaced persons.