Donetsk, Dec 26 - DAN. DPR Labour and Social Policy Ministry plans to increase the number of groups eligible for one-time payments under the Donbass People Reunification humanitarian programme in 2018, an official told a news briefing at Donetsk News Agency on Tuesday.

“This year, the Labour and Social Policy Ministry received numerous requests from Donbass residents to increase the number of population groups eligible for lumpsum payments,” acting Labour and Social Policy Minister Larisa Tolstykina said. “We’ve reviewed certain categories of citizens who can be eligible for welfare benefits as part of the implementation of the Donbass People Reunification humanitarian programme in 2018.”

Large families with three or more children can be the new recipients; one-time payments will amount to 6,000 rubles or 3,000 hryvnas depending on the applicant’s preference. The proposal to increase the number of categories entitled to humanitarian aid is currently under review of DPR head Alexander Zakharchenko.

The ongoing Donbass People Reunification humanitarian programme envisions one-time Victory Day and Miner’s Day payments, as well as benefits for veterans of the war with Japan, World War II veterans, miners with disability and workers commended for meritorious labour. *jk