In Ukraine, changes are expected in 2025 regarding the payment system for pensioners who permanently reside in areas affected by the Chernobyl disaster. According to the new conditions, for non-working pensioners living in the Chernobyl zone, the pension supplement has been significantly reduced: it now amounts to 2,361 hryvnias. Previously, for residents of the third zone, the supplement was equal to one minimum wage (8,000 hryvnias), and for the second zone – two minimum wages (16,000 hryvnias).
This is reported by Finway
Possible Innovations in the Supplement System
The Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine has confirmed that the issue of changes to the state payment system for Chernobyl victims is being discussed at the government level. Currently, a proposal is being considered whereby payments for residing in a contaminated zone will not depend on the specific area of radiation impact. In other words, the supplement will be calculated regardless of which specific zone the pensioner resides in.
Duration and Conditions of Payments
If the new rules are implemented, financial assistance will be established for a limited period – approximately three to five years. Payments are planned to be fixed at an absolute amount of 2,361 hryvnias without the possibility of indexing. An alternative proposal is to provide supplements only to those families who have their own household plots but cannot consume the vegetables grown on them due to radiation contamination.
“But they will be established for a limited period of time. For example, for 3-5 years. And will be fixed at an absolute amount (2,361 UAH), and will not be subject to indexing. An alternative proposal is to provide such a supplement on the condition that the family has a garden that is radiation-contaminated, and therefore it is impossible to consume vegetables from it. This way, we will compensate for the negative impact of radiation on a specific family,” the ministry shared.
Final decisions regarding changes to the supplement system for Chernobyl pensioners are currently under discussion, and details of future initiatives will be announced after the relevant legislative acts are adopted.