Basic social assistance in 2026: which Ukrainians will receive payments
Ukraine plans to introduce basic social assistance as a single, comprehensive form of support for low-income families. This was announced by the Verkhovna Rada, the Ministry of Social Policy and the Pension Fund of Ukraine. The 2026 state budget has allocated 9.2 billion hryvnias for basic social assistance.
Ukraine plans to introduce basic social assistance as a single comprehensive form of support for low-income families.
This refers to draft law No. 15094 “On Basic Social Assistance”. It was registered with the Verkhovna Rada on 20 March 2026, and on 28 May, parliament adopted the document in principle.
In parallel, a pilot project for basic social assistance is already underway. It was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers via Resolution No. 371 of 25 March 2025. The pilot project is scheduled to run until 1 July 2027.
What is basic social assistance
Basic social assistance is intended to combine several types of state benefits for low-income individuals and families.
According to the logic of the reform, the state aims to move from fragmented social benefits to a single mechanism, where assistance is calculated for the whole family, taking into account its composition and income.
The Pension Fund explains that the benefit is calculated as the difference between the total basic amount for the family and its actual average monthly income.
In other words, it is not a fixed amount that will be paid automatically to everyone.
How much will be paid
A base amount of 4,500 UAH is used to calculate basic social assistance in the pilot project.
100% of this amount, i.e. 4,500 UAH, is taken into account for the first family member, each child under 18, and for people with a Group I or II disability.
For each subsequent family member, 70% of the base amount – 3,150 UAH – is taken into account.
For example, for a family of two adults and two children, the base amount may be 16,650 UAH:
4,500 UAH – first adult,
3,150 UAH – second adult,
4,500 UAH – first child,
4,500 UAH – second child.
However, if the family has an official income, this is deducted from the total. Only the difference will be paid.
Who is eligible for basic social assistance
The benefit is aimed at low-income families.
As part of a pilot scheme, it may be received, in particular, by families who are already recipients of certain types of state social assistance. The Pension Fund has stated that from 1 July 2025, families who are already receiving the relevant types of social assistance at the time of application may submit an application.
This applies, in particular, to:
- low-income families;
- single mothers or fathers raising children on their own;
- large families;
- families with children with disabilities;
- people with disabilities;
- people of retirement age who do not have sufficient insurance contributions for a pension;
- families where parents evade paying maintenance, are unable to support the child, or whose whereabouts are unknown.
According to the Ministry of Social Policy, the new system is expected to cover around 1.2 million Ukrainians.
How the payment is calculated
The formula is as follows: the state determines a base amount for the family and then subtracts their actual average monthly income.
For example, the Ministry of Social Policy provided a calculation for a family of three: mother, father and child.
The base amount for such a family is 12,150 UAH:
4,500 UAH for the mother,
4,500 UAH for the child,
and 3,150 UAH for the father.
If the family’s average monthly income is 7,020 UAH, the amount of basic social assistance will be 5,130 UAH: 12,150 UAH minus 7,020 UAH.
In other words, the higher the family’s official income, the lower the payment will be. If the income is equal to or exceeds the calculated basic amount, no benefit will be granted.
What about the unemployed?
Basic social assistance is not intended to function as a permanent payment for able-bodied people who are simply not working.
If the family includes adults of working age, they must be officially employed, in education, registered as unemployed, or have another verified status.
For the unemployed, benefits may be granted for a specific period. However, thereafter the person must cooperate with the Employment Centre: look for work, undertake training, follow an individual employment plan, or participate in community service.
More lenient conditions apply to IDPs
The pilot project provides for separate conditions for internally displaced persons.
In particular, property left behind in temporarily occupied territories or in the combat zone is not to be treated in the same way as ordinary property in government-controlled territory.
An adaptation period is also provided for IDPs to allow them to apply for benefits, find work or register with the Employment Centre.
At the same time, having significant funds in bank accounts, expensive purchases or a new car may be grounds for refusal.
When an application may be refused
Basic social assistance may not be granted if the family shows signs of sufficient financial means.
These grounds include:
- able-bodied family members are not working, studying or registered with the Job Centre;
- there have been major purchases totalling over 100,000 UAH in the last 12 months;
- family members have more than 100,000 UAH in their bank accounts;
- the family owns a second flat or house, in addition to a home that has been destroyed or is located in a combat zone or under occupation;
- they own a car manufactured less than 5 years ago, or several cars manufactured less than 15 years ago.
These criteria are necessary to ensure that assistance goes to those who genuinely need support.
How to apply for basic social assistance
You can apply online or offline.
Online applications can be made via the “Diya” app or portal. This option is convenient as some of the data will be automatically retrieved from government registers.
Offline, you can submit an application via a Public Service Centre (PSC) or a social protection authority.
The data is then forwarded to the Pension Fund of Ukraine, which calculates and pays the benefits.
How long will payments be made
Under the pilot project, benefits are usually granted for 6 months.
For certain categories, it may be extended if the individual or family continues to meet the criteria.
Separate rules regarding the extension of payments may apply to people with disabilities, children who have lost a breadwinner and are not entitled to a survivor’s pension, as well as other vulnerable groups.
What the bill will change
Draft Law No. 15094 aims to transition basic social assistance from a pilot scheme to a permanent system.
The Ministry of Social Policy explains that the amount of the basic allowance must henceforth be approved in the law on the state budget for the relevant year and cannot be lower than the subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons as at 1 January of the relevant year.
The 2026 state budget already allocates 9.2 billion hryvnias for basic social assistance.
What is important
Basic social assistance is not ‘free money’ and is not an automatic payment to all Ukrainians.
It will be awarded to low-income families following a check of their income, assets, family composition and the employment status of able-bodied family members.
The base amount of 4,500 UAH is not a guaranteed sum paid out, but a figure used for calculation purposes. The actual payment will depend on the specific family’s income.
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