Updated rules on financial assistance in Ukraine
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has moved to a prioritised cash assistance approach. This shift reflects a reassessment and prioritisation of cash assistance needs across Ukraine.
The main changes concern frontline areas, households affected by shelling or evacuation, returnees, and areas located more than 50 km from the front line or the Ukrainian-Russian border.
Frontline areas
For households living within 0–50 km of frontline communities or the Ukrainian-Russian border, the eligibility criteria and application process have been revised.
Vulnerable people from this zone may be considered for assistance under the GDA 1 programme. This also applies to those who have been displaced within the last 6 months and live in this zone but have not received assistance under GDA 2.
Eligibility for assistance is not determined solely by place of residence. A combination of vulnerability factors and location is taken into account, with priority given to households with the greatest needs.
GDP 1 for response in frontline areas
Households are assessed by a UNHCR partner in terms of their ability to meet basic needs as a result of the war.
GHD 1 is designed to help households avoid negative practices, such as skipping meals, borrowing money, or cutting back on healthcare and basic needs.
The amount of assistance is 10,800 UAH per person for a period of 6 months. The full amount can be received in a single payment.
Currently, this type of assistance is not a priority in the UNHCR cash assistance programme.
GPA 2 for evacuees
People who were forced to leave their homes due to danger, shelling or official evacuation orders are eligible for Cash Assistance Programme 2.
This applies to both those evacuated by the authorities and those who left voluntarily for safety reasons.
The assistance is intended for people displaced from dangerous frontline communities or temporarily occupied territories.
For a household to be considered for assistance, it must register within 45 days of leaving its home for reasons related to military risks.
Vulnerable households that have been displaced within the last 6 months but have not received assistance under the GDP 2 scheme as evacuees may also be eligible for support. Eligibility for assistance is determined by a combination of vulnerability factors and location.
The amount of assistance is 12,300 UAH per person. This is a one-off payment covering 3 months.
GDP 3 for those affected by shelling
GDP 3 is intended for people affected by shelling that has caused a sudden increase in household expenses or a loss of income.
Such events can cause significant direct or indirect harm.
The amount of the grant is 12,300 UAH per person. This is a one-off payment covering three months.
GPA 4 for the most vulnerable IDPs
GPA 4 applies to vulnerable people who have been displaced for more than six months, are entitled to state IDP subsistence support but are unable to receive it.
Assistance is provided only upon referral as part of a systematic approach to assessing household needs.
UNHCR does not carry out direct registration through registration centres.
The amount of assistance is:
2,000 UAH per month per adult;
3,000 UAH per month per child or person with a disability.
Assistance for returnees
People who have returned to their place of permanent residence within the last 12 months, have lived there continuously for at least 3 months and are highly vulnerable may be considered for assistance.
Eligibility for assistance for returnees is determined on the basis of a comprehensive vulnerability assessment, rather than solely on status.
The amount of the grant is 3,600 UAH per month for 3 months. The total amount is 10,800 UAH, paid in a single instalment.
Areas more than 50 km from the front line or the border
For areas located more than 50 km from the front line or the Ukrainian-Russian border, the eligibility criteria are more restrictive.
Assistance is provided only to households that do not receive state relocation assistance and have specific protection needs.
Registration centres
Internally displaced persons who meet the criteria undergo an interview with UNHCR partners at registration centres to confirm their eligibility.
Households that meet the requirements can also apply for online registration via a Google Form. Information on registration can be found on the website r2p.org.ua.
The centres operate in the following regions: Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Chernihiv, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Cherkasy and Vinnytsia.
What documents are required
You will need the following documents when registering:
- tax identification number;
- Ukrainian passport or other identity document;
- IDP certificate, if available;
- the IBAN of the main applicant’s hryvnia bank account;
- children’s birth certificates;
- guardianship certificate or other official document regarding guardianship, if required;
- a medical certificate in the event of a disability or illness affecting access to services, if available.
