The Ministry of Finance reported lack of funds for "National Cashback" and telethon

State programs "National Cashback" and telethon "United News" currently do not receive budget financing due to lack of funds. On October 12, Minister of Finance of Ukraine Serhiy Marchenko stated this during the hour of questions to the government in the Verkhovna Rada.

The minister made the statement while answering a question from People's Deputy Artur Herasymov about budget expenditures on road works, telethon and the state program of returning part of the cost of Ukrainian goods.

The deputy asked why, in a difficult financial situation, the government continues to provide funds for these areas instead of increasing financing for the army.

Marchenko denied that the mentioned programs are currently financed.

"The programs you mentioned are also not financed. It is about the lack of funds for these programs", — the minister stated.

At the same time, the head of the Ministry of Finance did not specify from what moment financing of "National Cashback" and telethon stopped, whether arrears have accumulated in these areas and when payments may resume.

The minister's statement does not mean official cancellation of the programs. In particular, the government website of "National Cashback" states that its term has been extended until April 30, 2028. However, actual payments to participants are already delayed.

As reported by "Vikna" on October 8, Ukrainians still have not received cashback for May and June 2026, although earlier these payments were promised to be made in August. According to information provided by representatives of "Diia" on October 7, the exact date of transfer of funds remained unknown. There were also no defined payment terms for subsequent months.

Speaking in parliament, Marchenko explained the financing restrictions by the general liquidity crisis of the state budget. According to him, defense expenditures, pensions, wages and social assistance remain priorities.

The government suspended financing of capital expenditures, and part of payments totaling about 39 billion UAH was postponed to the end of the year. The minister emphasized that this is not a final refusal from the respective programs, but a temporary redistribution of limited resources.

According to Marchenko, in January-September the state budget received almost 50 billion UAH less planned revenues. By the end of the year, the shortfall in tax revenues may reach 70 billion UAH.

The minister linked the possibility of resuming deferred budget payments with the receipt of international assistance and the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of laws necessary to fulfill Ukraine's obligations to partners.

At the same time, Marchenko assured that financing of monetary support for military personnel and main social programs is carried out timely and in full.

Based on materials: speech by Serhiy Marchenko in the Verkhovna Rada, ZN.ua, Vikna