In 2026, the state support program for families with first-graders, "School Supply Package," enters its active phase. Parents, adopters, and legal guardians of children attending school for the first time are entitled to a one-time payment of 5,000 UAH. These funds are intended for purchasing clothing, footwear, stationery, and educational materials. According to the latest data submitted in early August, the first payments have already begun to arrive in citizens' accounts, with the main flow of applications expected in August and September.
Who is eligible for the payment and participation conditions
The "School Supply Package" program in 2026 covers a wide range of families. The payment is granted to parents, adopters, and legal guardians of first-graders — citizens of Ukraine studying in state or private educational institutions within the country. It is important to note that parents deprived of parental rights are not entitled to receive these funds. If a family has several children starting first grade simultaneously, a separate application must be filed for each child.
It is expected that about 200,000 first-graders will benefit from the program this year. For comparison, last year more than 98% of families received the payment, totaling over 210,000 children. This indicates high demand for state support ahead of the new academic year.
How to apply: online via "Diia" and offline options
Most parents can submit an application online via the "Diia" app. This is the fastest and most convenient way to apply. To receive the funds, it is necessary to open a special account with one of the partner banks: PrivatBank, MonoBank, A-Bank, Credit Dnipro, or Sense Bank. The account can be opened remotely, without the need to visit a bank branch in person.
For legal representatives of orphans and children deprived of parental care, as well as for those who do not use the "Diia" app, an offline application option is provided. You can apply at any service center of the Pension Fund of Ukraine, regardless of your place of registration. This ensures the program is accessible to all categories of citizens in need of support.
Payment deadlines and rules for using funds
Funds must be credited to the special account within 15 days after submitting the application, although in practice, the payment is often credited faster. The main deadline for submitting an application is November 1, 2026. After the application is processed, funds are credited to a special account from which they can be spent on necessary goods for the child.
This year, there is no limited period for using the funds. Parents can spend them gradually as needed. Payments can be made both in regular stores and in Ukrainian online stores. However, it is important that the store operates with the corresponding MCC code, which determines the ability to pay for purchases using "School Supply Package" funds. This guarantees that the money will be spent specifically on school needs.
Program financing and current status
In the initial stage, the state allocated more than 308 million UAH to the program, which allowed payments to be made to almost 61,000 families already in early August. According to Valeria Koval, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation, the program demonstrates high efficiency and demand. It is expected that by the end of September, all 200,000 first-graders will receive payments.
The "School Supply Package" program has become an important element of social support for families in 2026, helping parents prepare their children for school without significant financial costs. The simplified application procedure and flexible conditions for using funds make the program accessible to most citizens of Ukraine.
