Some Ukrainians may be exempt from utility payments: find out who qualifies for this benefit.

As a result of the full-scale war with Russia, the financial situation of Ukrainians has deteriorated. In response, the government has implemented a series of measures aimed at reducing the financial burden on the population. For instance, under certain conditions, citizens have been given the opportunity to not pay for utility services. This is reported by the publication "Socportal".

According to lawyer Alexander Pasternak, citizens can avoid paying for utility services if they have not lived in their residence for more than 30 days. However, this rule does not apply to payments for centralized heating and gas supply. Additionally, the absence from the residence must be documented by providing the following documents:

• certificate of registration as an internally displaced person;
• documents proving military service or medical treatment;
• other official papers.

Since March 2022, the lawyer states that Ukrainians are prohibited from collecting debts for housing and utility services that have accrued since the onset of the full-scale war. This ban is established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 208 and will remain in effect until the end of hostilities or the temporary occupation of the territory where the housing is located. Additionally, no charges for utility services will be incurred if the residence was destroyed during military actions and the utility services were disconnected. However, debts that arose before February 24, 2022, will still need to be settled.

Pasternak emphasized that Ukrainians eligible for the cancellation of utility charges must gather all necessary documents and notify service providers of their grounds for exemption from payments. This can be done in both written and electronic forms. Such an approach will help avoid unpleasant situations, as utility companies, even in wartime, file lawsuits against consumers who fail to pay for housing and utility services on time.

Ukrainian laws do not temporarily apply to regions occupied by invaders. Taking advantage of this situation, Russians are committing abuses and depriving Ukrainians of housing. Citizens facing such situations have virtually no means to protect themselves. However, experts advise:

• to find someone who remains living in the occupied area and send them funds to cover utility payments;
• to wait for the territory to be liberated, at which point services will resume.