More than 2.3 million Ukrainians have already received UAH 1,000 assistance under the ePidtrymka program

4.5 million Ukrainians have applied through the Diia to receive UAH 1,000 under the ePidtrymka program, more than 2.3 million citizens have already received the assistance. First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko announced during a briefing.

"Today, during the COVID-19 pandemic, citizens and businesses need support from the state, so the Government, at the initiative of the President of Ukraine, launched the ePidtrymka program, which, on the one hand, encourages people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, on the other – provides support to economic sectors most affected by quarantine restrictions. These are the creative industries, book publishing, sports and transport industries," Yulia Svyridenko said.

She reminded that the trial version of the ePidtrymka program was operational through 13 - 18 December. The official start took place on December 19. And as of today:

• 5.5 million Ukrainians opened cards in banks;
• 4.5 million - submitted applications through the Diia for payments;
• more than 2.3 million Ukrainians have already received a payment of UAH 1,000.

Ukrainians have already spent more than UAH 206 million out of the funds paid. Most often they were spent in bookstores, cinemas, theaters.

The First Deputy Prime Minister noted that from the second half of January next year the program would be expanded - Ukrainians aged over 60 will be able to spend money on the program to purchase medicines.

The ePidtrymka program will last a year - until December 18, 2022 and will be implemented in several stages. At the first stage, the funds will be received through the Diia application. This is the fastest and easiest way.

At the second stage (II-III quarter of 2022) there will be offered an alternative offline mechanism, which is currently being developed. People who do not have smartphones will be able to apply for help offline. The mechanics of how payments will be made is currently being created. Also in the second stage, in 2022, the possibility of issuing physical bank cards is being considered.

According to the terms of the program, all adult citizens of Ukraine who have completed the full course of vaccination against COVID-19 can receive UAH 1,000. Funds are provided for 4 months from the date of receipt, they can be spent both online and offline (by cashless payment through the terminal at the company's cash desk). Banks will differentiate the category of goods or services when paying, so it will be impossible to spend money for purposes other than those provided by the program, transfer them to the card, or withdraw cash. The amount of funds for the implementation of the program in 2021 is UAH 8 billion.