Understanding Housing Subsidies: Which Income Sources Are Considered When Determining Eligibility and Amounts
Housing subsidies are a form of state support aimed at assisting citizens who face financial difficulties in paying for housing and utility services.
To qualify for such assistance, it is essential to consider various factors, including the incomes of all household members registered at the residence.
Ukrainian legislation clearly stipulates rules regarding the composition of households and the calculation of income for subsidy purposes.
According to point 24 of Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No.
848, the household includes all persons registered or actually residing at the property, excluding those who are abroad for more than 60 days at the time of application.
Importantly, the incomes of a spouse are considered when calculating the subsidy, even if they live separately or are not officially registered at the address.
This is based on the provisions of the Family Code of Ukraine, which states that spouses are regarded as a family regardless of their actual place of residence if there are valid reasons for living separately.
Moreover, if both spouses are over 60 years old and live in rural areas or small towns, their incomes might not be taken into account when assigning subsidies, provided their actual or registered residence differs from the address of the household submitting the application.
It is also crucial for recipients of subsidies to inform the Pension Fund of Ukraine about any changes in income or residence that could affect the eligibility or the amount of benefits.