Starting in February, a number of changes are planned for the system of subsidy and government support payments. Specifically, the Pension Fund reports that consumers will now be expected to transfer funds directly to utility providers for services received.
Previously, Sberbank and Ukrposhta branches were involved in distributing utility payments. Government assistance will be directed specifically to a bank account, if the recipient has one. If the recipient does not have a bank account, they will need to visit a Sberbank branch. It is specified that starting in February, the bank will stop transferring funds to gas, electricity, and water providers.
Thus, citizens will now need to withdraw the financial assistance from a financial institution on their own and then pay their utility bills. It is still possible to receive the subsidy in cash—at Ukrposhta branches and at bank teller windows. Pensioners who receive their payments at home will still be able to receive the subsidy in the same way.