Government approves new School Starter Pack assistance for first-graders’ families: Denys Shmyhal
The Government, on the initiative of the President of Ukraine, has approved the launch of a new payment scheme called the “School Starter Pack.” Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced this during a Cabinet meeting on 7 July.
“This will be a financial aid package of UAH 5,000 to purchase essential stationery, books, children’s clothing, and footwear for those sending their child to the first year of school in person,” Denys Shmyhal stated.
According to him, every Ukrainian family will be eligible to receive the School Starter Pack, with applications to be submitted through the Diia platform. The funds can only be spent in a cashless form, using a card to purchase items necessary for school.
The Ministry of Social Policy will provide details on the start of the application process and how to access this assistance.
The Prime Minister emphasised that this payment would not affect eligibility for housing subsidies or other social benefits.
“The launch of the School Starter Pack is a small part of the innovations aimed at creating conditions for Ukrainians to stay, live, and work in Ukraine,” Denys Shmyhal underscored.
According to him, the Government is working on reforms to social support, with a key focus on a new system to support families with children. This includes the development of a comprehensive aid package covering medical, social, and educational support.
“We are moving away from fragmented, piecemeal aid programmes towards a holistic strategy that supports families from prenatal care to their child’s adulthood,” the Prime Minister stated.
Throughout the three years of full-scale war, Denys Shmyhal stressed, the Government has fully met all social obligations without delays in pensions or other payments. Moreover, during this time, the Government has launched new support programmes, conducted four pension indexations, introduced new payments, and continued digitalisation and debureaucratisation at all levels.
