Heating subsidy 2026–2027: who is eligible and how to apply

This is stated in a clarification issued by the Pension Fund of Ukraine.

A housing subsidy is targeted state assistance to help pay for housing and utility services. It is available to homeowners, tenants, internally displaced persons, residents of halls of residence and other citizens who meet the established criteria.

The subsidy is allocated separately for the non-heating and heating periods.

The non-heating season runs from 1 May to 30 September. During this period, utility costs are usually lower, so the amount of assistance is often smaller.

For the purposes of granting subsidies, the heating season runs from 1 October to 30 April. However, when calculating individual heating costs, the Pension Fund takes into account the period from 16 October to 15 April.

Who is eligible for a heating subsidy

Citizens who live in a property and pay for utilities are eligible for a housing subsidy.

The following may apply for assistance:

• owners of flats and houses;
• tenants with a valid tenancy agreement;
• internally displaced persons;
• residents of halls of residence;
• other citizens who meet the eligibility criteria for the subsidy.

When making a decision, the Pension Fund takes into account the household’s income, family composition and the applicant’s financial circumstances.

The subsidy is not automatically granted to everyone who applies. The state provides assistance to those whose utility costs exceed the established threshold relative to their family income.

Who will have their subsidy automatically renewed

For most recipients, the procedure will remain unchanged.

If a person has already received a housing subsidy and there have been no significant changes in their circumstances, the Pension Fund will renew the subsidy automatically. Before doing so, the details will be checked against government registers.

Automatic re-assessment is possible if the following have not changed:

• the composition of the household;
• place of residence;
• the list of utility services;
• other details affecting the calculation of payments.

Who needs to submit a new application

Certain categories of Ukrainians need to reapply to the Pension Fund.

A new application for a subsidy must be submitted by:

• tenants — each time after a change or renewal of the tenancy agreement;
• internally displaced persons — if their actual place of residence has changed;
• households where fewer people actually live than are registered;
• those applying for a subsidy for solid fuel or liquefied gas;
• citizens applying for assistance for the first time;
• those whose subsidy was ‘0’ in winter.

If the payment was zero in the previous season, there will be no automatic re-allocation.

The Pension Fund also recommends reporting any changes in circumstances. This applies to cases where someone has moved out or moved into the property, or where there has been a change in family composition or place of residence.

How to apply for a subsidy for solid fuel and liquefied gas

A separate type of assistance is provided for households that are not connected to the centralised gas or heating supply.

This refers to a subsidy for the purchase of:

• firewood;
• coal;
• briquettes;
• liquefied gas.

Unlike the standard utility subsidy, this assistance is not automatically renewed.

Applications must be submitted annually before the start of the heating season. It is advisable to do this no later than August–September to ensure you receive the funds before the heating season begins.

The solid fuel subsidy is paid as a lump sum for the entire heating season. The amount is calculated based on consumption standards and household composition.

Assistance may be granted if:

• the property does not have central heating;
• gas or electricity is not used for heating.

What documents are required for the subsidy

To apply for the subsidy for the first time, you must submit an application and a declaration of the household’s income and expenditure.

The Pension Fund obtains some of the information on income and social benefits directly from government registers.

You may also need:

• a tenancy agreement — for tenants;
• documents confirming your actual place of residence — for IDPs and people who are not registered at their address of residence;
• proof of changes to family composition — if someone has moved in or out;
• documents regarding debt restructuring — if there are outstanding utility bills.

To renew the subsidy, it is not usually necessary to submit a new application. The benefit is automatically transferred for the following season.

A new declaration needs to be submitted only in the event of significant changes. For example, if the family composition has changed, a member of the household has officially found employment, or the family has purchased property worth more than 50,000 UAH.

How to submit documents via the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU), the Administrative Services Centre (ASC) or ‘Diyu’

There are several ways to submit documents for a housing subsidy:

• in person — at the Pension Fund service centre in your place of residence;
• via the ASC;
• through an authorised representative of the community;
• by post — by registered letter;
• online — via the Pension Fund’s e-services portal or the ‘Dія’ app.

To submit an application online, you will need a qualified electronic signature or Diya.Signature.

Remote processing allows you to submit an application and declaration without visiting the office. Once your application has been registered, you can track its status in your personal account.

What happens to the subsidy if there is a utility bill debt

Debt for housing and utility services may affect your entitlement to a subsidy.

If the debt is significant, the Pension Fund may refuse to grant the subsidy.

People with outstanding debts are advised to:

• pay off the debt;
• or enter into a restructuring agreement with the supplier;
• submit the relevant documents to the Pension Fund.

A restructured debt is not an automatic reason for refusing a subsidy.

Can tenants and IDPs receive a subsidy?

Tenants can apply for a housing subsidy if they have a formal tenancy agreement. Verbal agreements are not sufficient for this purpose.

Internally displaced persons can receive assistance at their actual place of residence, even if it does not match their place of registration.

This is why tenants and IDPs are included in the list of categories that must reapply for the subsidy. There is no provision for automatic renewal for them.

When a subsidy may be refused

Grounds for refusal may include financial circumstances, debts or failure to meet other criteria.

A subsidy may not be granted if:

• anyone registered at the property has made a purchase of more than 50,000 UAH in the 12 months prior to the application, including foreign currency or precious metals;
• there are overdue utility bills at the address for more than 3 months, amounting to over 680 UAH;
• adults registered at the property who are not in full-time education, have no income, for whom no social security contributions are paid, and who are not registered with the jobcentre;
• the heated floor area of the flat exceeds 130 square metres;
• the heated floor area of the house exceeds 230 sq m;
• the owner possesses a state-registered vehicle less than five years old;
• the applicant owns two vehicles that are less than 15 years old;
• the person has not repaid the overpaid portion of a previously paid subsidy;
• anyone registered at the property has arrears on maintenance payments or enforcement proceedings dating back more than 3 months;
• any member of the household owns more than one property as of the month the subsidy was granted;
• any member of the household holds a deposit or domestic government bonds worth more than 100,000 UAH.

Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis. If your application is refused, you should clarify the reason and, if necessary, appeal the decision.

How to check the status of your application

Once you have submitted your documents, you can check the status of your application via your personal account on the Pension Fund’s web portal.

Information can also be obtained from a PFU service centre or by calling the hotline on 1548.

What has changed in 2026

In the new season, most subsidy recipients do not need to reapply for assistance. The Pension Fund will automatically renew the subsidy.

At the same time, the list of cases where a new application is mandatory has been expanded. This applies not only to tenants and IDPs, but also to those whose subsidy was zero in winter.

As before, you can apply for a subsidy in person or online via the Pension Fund’s electronic services and ‘Diyu’.

When is the best time to submit documents

If you fall into a category that requires a re-application, you should not delay submitting your documents.

The heating season begins on 1 October. It is advisable to submit your application by the end of September to receive assistance from the first month of the season.

This is particularly important for subsidies for solid fuel and liquefied gas, as the funds are needed before the heating season begins.

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