5,000 hryvnias for each Year 1 pupil: how parents can claim the one-off payment
This was announced by the Main Directorate of the Pension Fund of Ukraine in the Mykolaiv region.
The ‘Schoolchild’s Pack’ programme provides a one-off payment to help first-year pupils prepare for the new school year. It is administered by the Pension Fund of Ukraine.
Who is eligible for the payment
One of the child’s parents or another legal guardian is entitled to the benefit if:
- the child has been enrolled in Year 1 for the new academic year;
- the child is a citizen of Ukraine;
- the applicant is also a citizen of Ukraine.
Authorised representatives of family-type children’s homes, foster families, institutions for orphans and children deprived of parental care, as well as individuals with whom a child has been temporarily placed, may also submit an application.
How to apply for the benefit
Applications can be submitted until 15 November 2026.
The easiest way is via the ‘Diya’ app. Once the details have been verified, the Pension Fund will notify the applicant whether they are eligible for the payment.
If you are unable to use ‘Diya’, you can submit a paper application at any Pension Fund service centre.
To apply, you will need:
- the applicant’s details;
- the child’s details;
- the child’s birth certificate;
- the number of a special bank account.
In some cases, you will also need to provide documents confirming the legal representative’s authority or the child’s status.
What the money can be spent on
The payment is made exclusively by bank transfer. The funds are paid into a special bank account and may only be used to purchase items required by a child starting primary school.
In particular, this money can be used to buy:
- school supplies and stationery;
- books;
- children’s clothing;
- footwear.
Purchases may be made from legal entities and sole traders.
The funds must be used within 180 days of being credited. If, at the end of this period, any of the money remains unused, the bank will return the balance to the Pension Fund.
Who is not eligible for the grant
The payment will not be made if the Year 1 pupil:
- has moved abroad permanently;
- is in a temporarily occupied territory.
The Pension Fund has also reminded applicants that the amount of the grant is not taken into account when calculating a family’s total income for the purposes of awarding other types of state social assistance.
If an application has already been submitted by one of the parents or a legal guardian, an application from another person regarding the same child will not be considered. If a dispute arises between the parents regarding receipt of the payment, a decision will be made once the dispute has been resolved.
When can you apply?
‘Diia’ has reported that the ‘Schoolchild’s Pack’ service is not yet operational. However, it is expected to launch very soon. ‘Diia’ advises users to keep an eye on updates on official channels.
As a reminder, last year over 200,000 Year 1 pupils benefited from the ‘School Starter Pack’ programme. Almost 99 per cent of eligible families applied for the grant. The funds received were most often spent on children’s clothing, school supplies and footwear.
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