Understanding the Exclusion of Funeral Assistance from Family Income
When calculating a household's average monthly total income to determine eligibility for basic social assistance, specific types of payments are excluded. Notably, funeral assistance is not counted towards this income figure. The calculation is based on the average income of all family members over the three months preceding the month of application. This policy is designed to ensure that aid reaches those in genuine need without being offset by one-time, crisis-related support.
The procedure for calculating this average monthly total income for all types of state social assistance was established by Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 632, dated July 22, 2020. Crucially, according to paragraph 7 of this procedure, funeral assistance is explicitly excluded from the calculation of a family's average monthly aggregate income. This exclusion provides a vital layer of financial relief, preventing families from being penalized for receiving support during a bereavement.
Social Support During Difficult Times
Omitting funeral aid from income calculations is a significant measure to ensure social support for those coping with loss. This approach helps prevent families from falling into further financial hardship while grieving, acknowledging that such payments are for a specific, distressing event rather than regular income. In many social security systems, similar exclusions exist for lump-sum crisis payments to prevent a reduction in ongoing benefits.
Consequently, this policy contributes positively to strengthening the social safety net for vulnerable populations in Ukraine during their most challenging times.