Denys Shmyhal: The state is preparing a package of winter support for families – ePidtrymka, subsidies and the expanded Affordable Medicines programme

The state is preparing a comprehensive package of winter support for families. The first step has already been initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – the winter ePidtrymka (eSupport) programme. This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at a Government meeting on 29 October.

“We are approaching the third winter, which we will pass in the context of a full-scale war. Ukraine and Ukrainians face many challenges and threats. But, just like in previous years, our unity and mutual assistance are yielding positive results,” the Prime Minister said.

According to the Head of Government, every Ukrainian will receive a thousand hryvnias to pay for Ukrainian services and some Ukrainian goods. Under this programme, the state sets three main goals.

“The first is to support Ukrainian families financially. We are giving them an additional resource that can be spent on paying for services, including utilities, and some goods, including medicines,” said Denys Shmyhal.

The second goal is to boost domestic demand for Ukrainian services. As the Prime Minister noted, the National Cashback programme has already started working, and the state has made the first payments to people in the amount of over UAH 37 million.

“In total, 2.4 million Ukrainians and 1,470 Ukrainian producers have joined the programme. While the National Cashback programme focuses on the purchase of Ukrainian goods, the winter ePidtrymka programme is more focused on services provided by small and medium-sized businesses,” the Prime Minister said.

The third goal, according to the Prime Minister, is to once again demonstrate the unity of Ukrainian society for resilience and victory.

“One of the options for spending the funds under the ePidtrymka programme is to donate them to the Ukrainian army. Or to official accounts: United24, the Ministry of Defence, the State Border Guard Service, the National Guard of Ukraine, or to the account of a volunteer fund you trust. This way, part of the funds will be reinvested by the population in our security and defence,” said Denys Shmyhal.

The Prime Minister added that an application for participation in the programme would be available through Diia during the winter. The payments will be transferred to the National Cashback card, and the person will be able to spend the funds through 2025.

Denys Shmyhal emphasised that the programme applied not only to adults but also to children. One of the parents will be able to order a payment to their account for each of their children.

“Our next steps are winter subsidies that are no less than last year’s. We will also expand the Affordable Medicines programme to include new recipients,” the Prime Minister said.