OREANDA-NEWS. August 27, 2010. During the period from 1 till 24 August, 205,200 families appealed to local departments of labor and social protection of the public with statements about appointment of subsidies. As of August 1, 2010 housing subsidies – based on the old percentage of compulsory payments for utilities - received 229,800 families. Minister of Labour and Social Policy of Ukraine Vasyl Nadraga said this today during a briefing in the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

Thus, according to the Minister, last week - from 19 to 23 August – the trend has been toward sharp increase of the amount of submission letters from pensioners. In all, 9,3 million packages of documents on the appointment of subsidies on application principle had been addressed to families with retirees.

"As of August 24, an automatic recalculation – without citizens’ applications – of housing subsidies to 89 thousand families that had been receiving subsidy until August 1, 2010, was conducted. Today, this work should be finished in the regions", Vasyl Nadraga emphasized.

He also noted that, according to departments of labor and social protection, almost a third of applications received from retirees in the form of submission letters (application principle) is filled up improperly. There are also statements from families that currently (during summer), according to income and cost of utility services, shall not be entitled for subsidies.

"Therefore, the Labor Ministry has prepared an explanation for the regions concerning the possibility of considering the appointment of subsidies after the heating season (October 15)", said Vasyl Nadraga.

At the end of the briefing the Minister once again called on all citizens, who need such assistance, to apply more actively to local departments of labor and social protection.