Benefits for people with a Group 1 disability: what might change in May 2026
This has been announced by the Ministry of Justice and the Pension Fund of Ukraine.
Ukrainians with a Group I disability are entitled not only to a pension or social assistance, but also to a range of benefits.
These include housing, transport, utilities, medicines and rehabilitation aids. To apply for these benefits, you must contact the social protection authority in your area of residence.
What may change in May
In May 2026, the main list of benefits for people with a Group I disability remains in force.
However, it is important to note the seasonal transport benefit. A 50% discount on domestic rail travel for people with Group I disability and one accompanying person is valid from 1 October to 15 May.
This means that in May, this discount will not apply for the whole month, but only up to and including 15 May. After that, it does not apply until the start of the new concession period, unless the person has another separate status entitling them to reduced-fare or free travel.
Housing benefits
People with Group I disability can count on priority or out-of-turn improvement of their housing conditions.
There is also the possibility of receiving residential property or a plot of land.
Transport concessions
People with a Group I disability and one accompanying person are entitled to a 50% discount on travel on domestic rail routes.
This benefit is valid from 1 October to 15 May.
People with Group I war-related disability are entitled to one free return rail journey per year.
A person accompanying a person with a Group I disability resulting from war, also limited to one person, is entitled to a 50% discount on travel once a year – a return journey.
Concessions on utility services
If the disability resulted from participation in combat operations, people with Group I disability are entitled to a 100% discount on housing costs, utility bills and liquefied petroleum gas for domestic use within average consumption limits.
This benefit also applies to fuel for homes without central heating.
Victims of Nazi persecution are also entitled to these benefits if they have a Group I disability.
Separate benefits are provided for those involved in the clean-up of the Chernobyl accident, its victims and their family members.
They may be eligible for a 50% discount on housing costs, utility bills, the cost of fuel for homes without central heating, and the set fee for accommodation in a hall of residence.
Benefits for medicines and rehabilitation
People with Group I disability are entitled to a 50% discount when purchasing prescription medicines during outpatient treatment.
Provision of rehabilitation aids, prostheses and other medical devices is also provided for.
What documents are required
To receive benefits, you must apply to the social protection authority in your place of residence.
You must submit your Ukrainian passport, tax identification number, a certificate or document confirming your disability category, and the relevant application form.
Disability pension in May 2026
Entitlement to a disability pension is determined based on the established disability group, the cause of disability and the length of insurance.
For civilians, the Group I disability pension amounts to 100% of the old-age pension that a person has earned, taking into account their insurance record and official salary.
Following the March indexation, payments increased by approximately 12.1%, and this amount remains in force as of 1 May 2026.
For example, if the calculated old-age pension after indexation is 7,236 UAH, then the Group I disability pension will also be 7,236 UAH.
The final amount is influenced by the length of insurance, official salary, additional payments for extra years of service, age-related supplements and other social allowances.
If the insurance record is insufficient, state social assistance for disability may be granted instead of an insurance pension.
Payments for military personnel with Group I disability
For military personnel and veterans, the amount of the disability pension is calculated differently.
If Group I disability is related to the performance of military service duties, the pension may amount to 100% of the pay.
Pay includes salary, allowances for rank and position, and other fixed supplements.
For example, if the pay was 25,000 UAH, the pension may also amount to 25,000 UAH per month.
From 1 April 2026, a guaranteed minimum of 18,885 UAH has been set for Group I. If the calculated amount is lower, the state must top it up to this level.
A one-off cash benefit is also provided. For Group I disability resulting from a war injury, it amounts to 1,331,200 UAH. If the disability is related to an illness contracted during service, the benefit amounts to 399,360 UAH.
Active-duty military personnel can apply for these payments through their military unit, whilst former servicemen can do so through a branch of the Territorial Centre for Social Services.
As reported by ThePublic, in 2026, combatant status in Ukraine can be obtained in two ways: automatically via the Unified State Register of War Veterans, or by submitting an application and supporting documents to the relevant commission. The automatic mechanism applies to active-duty military personnel, whilst volunteers who have been discharged from service and those whose details have not been entered into the register will have to go through the procedure separately.
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