All social payments made on schedule

Pensions and social benefits are paid in a timely manner in Ukraine, despite the difficult situation in the country, Acting Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov said during the Cabinet's meeting on Wednesday, Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.

"Citizens get budget payments on time. Payments are made on schedule. As of January 28, the Pension Fund of Ukraine has paid pensions to nearly 14 million citizens. Over 21 billion UAH were issued to cover these needs during the month. It absolutely satisfies the January demand for money," he said.

Experts say the State Treasury fully covered payment of the social payments for January. Over 3.4 billion UAH were directed for this purpose. For the 20 days of January, 2014, the government has reduced arrears by 23 million UAH.  January 2014 pensions have been paid in full. 

Experts from the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine point out that the ministry monitors funding pensions and social payments on a daily basis. All fiscal charges were paid on time: from the 4th to the 25th of the month according to the approved schedule.

The Ministry of Social Policy also reports that three stages of increasing the minimum pension are envisaged in 2014: from March, 1 on the annual indexation, and from July, 1 and from Oct., 1 - according to planned increase of the cost of living.

From the beginning of 2014, the social security funds have allocated 1.27 billion UAH for insurance premiums, Natalia Korolevska, Acting Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine said. According to her, papers for social financing are submitted on time, while in case of a delay, the management of the fund branches is required to control each case personally. Citizens can rely on the state support under difficult economic conditions.