Food prices, subsidies, and reservations: what changes will take place in Ukraine starting February 1, 2025?

Prices for products, subsidies, reservations: what will change in Ukraine starting February 1, 2025

In February, some products in Ukraine may become more expensive, the calculation of utility subsidies will follow new rules, and some military conscripts will lose their reservation from mobilization. Additionally, the government is introducing a new form of assistance for internally displaced persons, and some pensioners will receive an increase in their pensions. What will happen with utility bills and what other changes await Ukrainians is covered in the article from UNIAN.

How prices for products will change in February 2025

In February, certain products may increase in price—ranging from 10-15% up to 50%. Experts predict that prices for sunflower oil, dairy products, buckwheat, and some types of vegetables, particularly potatoes and carrots, may rise. Conversely, the price of eggs has begun to drop.

Who will receive pension increases in Ukraine

No increase in the minimum pension is planned for 2025, but in March, there will be an automatic pension indexation, which may raise payments by 10-17%.

In February, some categories of pensioners who have reached a certain age and whose pensions do not exceed 10,340.35 UAH will receive a pension increase:

• Those who are 70 years old will receive an increase of 300 UAH;
• Those who are 75 years old will receive 456 UAH;
• Those who are 80 years old and older will receive 570 UAH.

These increases are granted automatically, and pensioners do not need to apply anywhere.

How utility subsidies will change

In January, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine announced changes to the approach for providing utility subsidies. From now on, subsidies will be calculated based on the average monthly total income of the family. For those who applied for a subsidy starting January 1, eligibility will be determined according to the new approach. Those who received subsidies before January 1, 2025, will be affected by the changes after this heating season ends.

New rules for subsidy calculations do not apply to combatants and individuals who have acquired disabilities due to the war; their situation remains unchanged.

Who is eligible for rent subsidies

A new type of government assistance for internally displaced persons—a rent subsidy—will be available in February.

Eligible categories of displaced persons include:

• Those who left occupied territories or combat zones and do not have their own housing in other relatively safe regions of Ukraine, and whose own housing is destroyed or uninhabitable;
• Those forced to rent housing but lack sufficient funds for it;
• Those already renting but spending a significant portion of their income on rent.

To qualify for the rent subsidy, it is also important that the renter and landlord are not related, the renter (i.e., IDP) has not received government assistance for housing, and the landlord has not received compensation under the "Prihystok" program.

Important: A rent subsidy can only be obtained if there is a rental agreement.

Will utility tariffs change

Utility tariffs in February (water, gas, heating, and electricity tariffs) will remain unchanged.

In some regions, the water tariff may slightly differ—local authorities may adjust it in smaller towns. Additionally, for those with electric heating, a special rate of 2.64 UAH/kWh will apply until April 30, but only for electricity consumption up to 2,000 kWh per month. For consumption above this limit, the full tariff will apply.

Who may lose their mobilization reservation

According to new amendments to Regulation No. 76 regarding the mobilization reservation procedure, by the end of February, all critically important enterprises must confirm their status. After this, with the updated status, they must re-reserve their employees through the "Diia" portal by March 1. There is no longer a 72-hour waiting period between the end of the previous reservation and the issuance of a new one, as was previously required.

If an enterprise loses its critical status or fails to submit documents for re-confirmation, its employees may lose their mobilization reservation and be called up to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

VVK in Reserve+

A new option will be available in the "Reserve+" mobile application in February—users will be able to obtain a referral for passing the VVK (Military Medical Commission). After receiving the notification, individuals can independently attend the medical commission.

Initially, this option will be available for those who wish to pass the VVK independently, and later it will be extended to those who receive a paper notification for the medical examination.

Who will receive payments for missing soldiers and those in captivity

Starting February 1, amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On Social and Legal Protection of Military Personnel and Their Families" will come into effect. According to the document, monetary support will be maintained for military personnel who are captured or considered missing, and their families will receive payments. The soldier can decide who will receive payments in case of capture or being declared missing. If there is no personal directive from the soldier, the payments will be distributed as follows:

• 50% of the support will be equally divided among first-degree relatives—namely, between the spouse, legal representatives of minor children (the mother or father of the soldier's child or a person who replaces them if the soldier is unmarried), children with disabilities from childhood (regardless of age), or their legal representatives, as well as the soldier's parents (excluding those who receive alimony from the soldier and parents deprived of parental rights);
• If the soldier has no first-degree relatives, then 20% of the support will be equally divided among second-degree relatives—namely, among adult children, siblings, whose legal representative is the soldier.

If the soldier returns from captivity or is no longer considered missing, the withheld portion (50% or 80%) will be paid out. In the event of the soldier's death, the unpaid portion will be included in the inheritance.

Application for Zelensky's 1000

By February 28, it is also necessary to submit an application for state assistance under the "Winter eSupport" program, better known as Zelensky's 1000.

How limits on transfers between cards will change

Large banks will introduce limits on card-to-card transfers in February for clients who do not have documented income. Banks categorize these clients into "high," "medium," and "low" risk levels.

For "high" risk level clients, starting February 1, the monthly transfer limit will be 50,000 UAH. For "medium" and "low" risk level clients, starting February 1, the limit will be up to 150,000 UAH per month, and from June 1, it will be reduced to 100,000 UAH per month.