Reduction of pensions by UAH 2000: what allowances will be canceled for payments

In 2025, some Ukrainian pensioners may lose the allowances they previously received as victims of the Chornobyl accident due to changes in legislation adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The relevant resolution No. 263 was approved on March 7, 2025, and provides new payment terms for Chornobyl victims.

The key change concerns the conditions for calculating additional payments for people who lived in unconditional or guaranteed resettlement zones. Now, to confirm the right to an additional payment, it is necessary to provide official confirmation of residence in such zones as of April 26, 1986, or before January 1, 1993. If the relevant data is unavailable in the migration service’s state registers or databases, the pensioner will not receive the supplement.

Additionally, the government has resumed payments from January 1, 2025, but the supplement is limited to UAH 2,361. Many people who used to receive higher amounts by court order have now lost this right, as previous court rulings are no longer in effect.

To restore the allowance, pensioners need to apply to the registration authority with a specific package of documents, including an old-style passport and a house book. The Administrative Service Center (ASC) can also update the data. After verifying the information, the Pension Fund has the right to charge an additional payment from the beginning of the year, i.e., from January 1, 2025.

Many people consider this decision unfair. Those who have been considered victims of the Chornobyl disaster for years may find that they will be left without financial support due to a lack of records in the database or the loss of documents. This can mean losing more than 2000 hryvnias a month, which is significant for older people.

Experts emphasize the importance of checking one’s own data and, if necessary, updating the information to avoid losing money. If the Pension Fund refuses to pay, it is recommended that one submit a written application and request a written response, which can later be appealed in court.