New rules for payments to families of deceased defenders: the Ministry of Defence explained what has changed

This was reported by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

According to the ministry, until now, families whose relatives were immediately declared dead received 15 million hryvnia, while families of those missing in action received financial support throughout the search period and then an additional 15 million hryvnia. This created a situation where social support for families of those missing in action and those who died differed significantly.

"The families of the deceased should not receive less than the families of those missing in action. This is unfair. All heroes are equal," the Ministry of Defence said.

The ministry also answered the most common questions regarding the aforementioned payments. 

ThePublic has compiled the key points to pay attention to when receiving payments to the family of a serviceman:

• If a soldier who was considered missing in action returns home, the funds do not need to be returned.
• Payments to the family of a soldier who has missing in action status will cease when the total amount of payments reaches UAH 15 million. However, the family will be entitled to other benefits, including a pension for the loss of a breadwinner.
• Families who are already receiving payments do not need to contact the TCC or other government agencies after the new rules are introduced.
• To prevent unscrupulous relatives from receiving the relevant payments, each soldier can draw up a personal order. This is a written document that specifies the persons who are to receive the payments.
• If members of a serviceman's family have taken Russian or Belarusian citizenship, or have been convicted of treason, collaboration, or aiding the aggressor, they are not eligible for payments.

The Ministry also emphasised that the Coordination Headquarters is continuously working to find missing servicemen. Negotiations are being held with international organisations and lists of prisoners are being monitored.

We remind you that the payment of a one-time cash benefit in the event of death during martial law is carried out in accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On Social and Legal Protection of Servicemen," Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 168 of 28 February 2022, and Order of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine No. 45 of 25 January 2023.

To receive it, the families of deceased military personnel who served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine must apply to the district territorial recruitment centre, regardless of their place of registration.

Families of deceased military personnel who served in other military formations (National Guard, Security Service of Ukraine, Foreign Intelligence Service, Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence, State Special Communications Service, State Border Service, State Special Transport Service, etc.) should apply directly to these formations.