On August 12, 2026, on the eve of the new heating season, the issue of housing payments became relevant for the families of deceased defenders of Ukraine. The Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) clarified a critically important nuance: if the calculated housing subsidy for a family amounts to 0 UAH, citizens have the full right to apply for a benefit. This decision helps avoid a situation where a family, ineligible for a subsidy due to exceeding consumption norms or income, is left without state financial support.

Choosing between a subsidy and a benefit: why you cannot receive both types of assistance

According to current legislation, if a person is eligible for both a housing subsidy and a discount on utility payments, they cannot receive both types of aid simultaneously. The citizen must choose one option. However, the selection mechanism works in favor of the applicant: if the subsidy is 0 UAH in the summer, one can apply for a benefit. In this case, it will be assigned from the month the application is submitted. This is particularly relevant for families whose utility expenses are high, but whose income formally allows them to avoid subsidization, leaving them with a heavy financial burden.

Application procedure and the registry of beneficiaries

To receive a benefit, two actions must be taken: first, submit an application for inclusion in the Registry of persons entitled to benefits, and also an application for the appointment of the benefit itself. Families of deceased defenders of Ukraine are entitled to a 50% discount on utility services. It is important to understand that this discount is provided within the limits of norms established by the state. Specifically, it refers to 21 sq. m of total living space for each family member entitled to the benefit, plus an additional 10.5 sq. m for the family. This is the basic standard applied to most categories of beneficiaries.

Extended norms for non-working citizens

There is an important exception for families consisting exclusively of non-working people, such as pensioners. More generous conditions apply to such categories of citizens. If a family consists only of non-working people, a different norm applies for gas heating. The 50% discount covers a double normative area — 42 sq. m for each person entitled to the benefit, plus 21 sq. m for the family. This is a significant relief measure designed to protect the most vulnerable segments of the population from high tariffs during the winter period.

Mechanism for switching between subsidy and benefit

The situation with payments may change depending on the season. If, with the start of the heating season, a beneficiary wishes to receive a subsidy again, they must submit a corresponding application to the Pension Fund of Ukraine. At the same time, in the next non-heating season, if the assigned subsidy again amounts to 0 UAH, the benefit will be renewed automatically. This simplifies the bureaucratic burden on citizens, allowing the system to automatically switch to the benefit mode when the subsidy becomes inexpedient or impossible to accrue.

Contradictory data

Questions related to the calculation of norms and family composition often cause disputes. Previously, experts explained whether it is necessary to deregister family members who have not lived in the house or apartment for a long time in order to receive a subsidy. The issue of the influence of land shares on the size of the subsidy was also discussed. In some cases, formal land ownership or the registration of relatives can artificially inflate the family's income, leading to a refusal of the subsidy, even if the actual residence and needs of the family meet the criteria for neediness. Citizens are advised to carefully check calculations and, if necessary, seek clarification from local PFU offices.