Mykolaiv Boosts Social Services Funding to ₴150K, Adds Dental Reimbursement

Mykolaiv increased funding for social services. They also decided to reimburse the costs of dental services for citizens with disabilities.

At a meeting of the City Council's Standing Committee on Human Rights, Children, Family, Legality, and Publicity, the draft decision on amendments to the city's Social Protection Program for 2024-2026 was preliminarily reviewed and supported.

The main changes relate to bringing the program in line with the updated legislation. In particular, the terminology was updated:

• "Persons with disabilities as a result of the war in Afghanistan" was replaced with "persons with disabilities as a result of war in other countries".
• "Deceased as a result of the Chornobyl accident" was changed to "deceased citizens whose death is related to the Chornobyl disaster".
• "Technical means of rehabilitation" are now called "auxiliary means of rehabilitation".

The amount for social services was also increased from UAH 125,000 to UAH 150,000, as the number of people in need of assistance has increased.

In addition, a new item was added to the program - compensation for dental treatment with general anesthesia or sedation for people with disabilities over 18 years of age. Previously, such treatment was free of charge only for children, and after coming of age, patients with, for example, autism need anesthesia because they cannot always control their actions.

The commission supported the changes and recommended the draft decision for consideration at the next session of the city council.

In 2024, social services in Mykolaiv ensured the payment of benefits and additional services to community residents. More than 150 thousand people received support, including more than 40 thousand IDPs.

Over UAH 462 million has been allocated for the implementation of the social protection program in Mykolaiv for 2025-2027. The program is aimed at protecting the population, territory, environment, as well as material and cultural assets from emergencies and dangerous events.

In late February, the city also amended the Social Protection program for 2024-2026. It provides assistance to victims of the war, the Chernobyl disaster and people with disabilities. More than one and a half billion hryvnias have been allocated for these measures. The program aims to improve the level of social protection and provide support to the most vulnerable categories of the population.

Анна Бальчінос