The Right to Benefits — What Has Changed for Chernobyl Victims in 2025.

In 2025, the state continues to provide support to those affected by the Chernobyl disaster in the form of various benefits. However, some rules have changed.

What Benefits Are Provided for Different Categories of Chernobyl Victims

The right to various benefits depends on the category of the affected Chernobyl victims. They are divided into four groups.

In particular, the first category was granted to liquidators who worked specifically in the exclusion zone from 1986 to 1990, those who were evacuated from hazardous areas, and individuals whose disability is related to the accident and has appropriate confirmation.

The second category was granted to participants in the cleanup efforts in 1986–1987, evacuees, and residents of mandatory resettlement zones. For these categories, the following benefits are provided:

• 50% discount on payment for utilities, purchase of solid fuel, telephone services, and communications services;
• 50% — on food for the first category, 25% — for the second category;
• 100% — for the cost of sanatorium and resort treatment, prescription medications, and urgent dental prosthetics;
• 100% — for transport for the first category and 50% — for the second category on public transport (once a year), 100% — for suburban transport;
• additional annual leave of 14 working days;
• annual assistance for rehabilitation.

The third category of Chernobyl victims includes liquidators who worked in the exclusion zone for up to 30 days depending on the year, as well as individuals who lived or worked in areas of radiation impact but later moved. They are provided with the following benefits:

• 100% for purchasing medications, sanatorium and resort vouchers, and urgent dental prosthetics. However, compensation for food costs and additional leave are not provided;
• annual assistance for rehabilitation.

The fourth category is given to those who lived, worked, or studied in areas of intensified radioecological control as of 1993 for four years. They are entitled to:

• a 50% discount on urgent dental prosthetics;
• 100% on medications;
• annual assistance for rehabilitation.

Children affected by the Chernobyl disaster are granted the right to 100% compensation for sanatorium and resort treatment and medications.

Changes for those Affected by the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant Accident Regarding Housing and Utility Benefits

According to government resolution No. 1553 'On Amendments to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated June 4, 2015, No. 389', in 2025, a new rule was introduced for providing benefits for all citizens taking into account the average monthly total income of the household, including those affected by the Chornobyl NPP accident of the first category. Consequently, the Pension Fund of Ukraine has ceased granting housing and utility benefit payments to some of them.

This year, benefits can only be obtained by those whose income per person over the last six months does not exceed 4,240 UAH.

Earlier, we reported that this year Ukrainian citizens can apply for benefits on housing and communal services. In particular, some can receive up to a 50% discount.

It has also been reported that citizens whose income does not qualify for benefits can switch to subsidies. An application must be submitted to the Pension Fund of Ukraine.

The report highlights various categories of Chernobyl victims and the associated benefits, as well as changes in the provision of housing and utility benefits for those affected by the Chernobyl NPP accident in 2025.