In 2026, state social assistance for low-income families continues to operate in Ukraine, with its amount determined by the family structure, aggregate income, and state-established subsistence minimum indicators. As explained by the Diia portal, the payment is granted to families who permanently reside in Ukraine and, due to valid reasons or reasons beyond their control, have a monthly average aggregate income below the established subsistence minimum for their household. However, belonging to the low-income category does not automatically guarantee receiving funds: a final decision is made after verifying all established conditions, including the property status and employment of able-bodied family members. Assistance is usually granted for six months, starting from the month of application.
Who is Eligible for the Payment
Several categories of families have the right to state social assistance: families with children whose aggregate income is insufficient; single mothers or fathers raising children on their own; and families where able-bodied members have low incomes or cannot work for reasons stipulated by legislation. However, as the Pension Fund of Ukraine emphasizes, even having a small official salary is not an automatic ground for refusal if, after taking all factors into account, the average monthly aggregate income remains below the subsistence minimum. At the same time, having a formal right does not mean a guaranteed payment: the commission verifies property status, ownership of real estate, vehicles, and other criteria established by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 250.
What Incomes Are Counted in the Calculation
According to the explanation by the Pension Fund of Ukraine, the average monthly aggregate income is determined based on the incomes of family members over a six-month period. The calculation includes: pension payments; most scholarships (except those provided by legislation); unemployment benefits; certain social and insurance payments; income from renting out housing or land; dividends, and other proceeds from property and financial assets. Thus, if a family member does not officially work but regularly receives money from the listed sources, these receipts directly affect the assignment of assistance. At the same time, not all monetary receipts are automatically included in the calculation: exceptions are determined by legislation depending on the type of income.
Remittances from Abroad and Calculation Exceptions
Special attention should be paid to the issue of remittances from abroad. The PFU explanation dated April 2, 2026, explicitly states that money transfers received from abroad are included in the family's average monthly aggregate income. This means that money coming from Poland, Germany, or any other country cannot be automatically considered neutral for calculating social assistance. Meanwhile, the fund recommends distinguishing between the fact of the transfer itself and its purpose: if questions arise regarding a specific receipt, the applicant has the right to provide documents or explanations that will help correctly determine the nature of the transfer. In September 2026, the Pension Fund also clarified that the one-time 'Pakunok Shkolyara' (Schoolchild's Package) assistance is not included in the family's aggregate income when determining eligibility for state social payments, meaning that receiving such assistance does not in itself reduce the amount of the monthly payment.
How the Payment Amount is Determined
The amount of state social assistance is not the same for all families. As a general rule, it is determined as the difference between the subsistence minimum provision level established for a specific family and its average monthly aggregate income. Different regulatory indicators for able-bodied persons, children, and disabled persons are applied during the calculation. Therefore, two families with an identical total income can receive different amounts of assistance if their composition differs. A conditional example: if the calculated subsistence minimum provision level for a family is 10,000 hryvnias, and its average monthly aggregate income is 7,000 hryvnias, the amount of assistance will be 3,000 hryvnias per month. Exact figures for each family are calculated individually based on the data provided by the applicant.
Basic Social Assistance: The Experimental Mechanism of 2026
In addition to the standard program, since July 1, 2025, an experimental project of basic social assistance (BSA) has been in effect in Ukraine, established by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 371 of March 25, 2025. Its goal is to combine several types of state support (assistance to low-income families, child benefits for single mothers, assistance to large families) into a single payment, the amount of which is calculated separately for each family with a calculation base of 4,500 hryvnias per person. BSA can be applied for via the Diia application or at any service center of the Pension Fund; assistance is granted for six months. Receiving standard state social assistance and basic social assistance simultaneously is prohibited. The Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law 'On Basic Social Assistance' (bill No. 15094) on October 13, 2026, and the president signed the document, but the law enters into force on January 1, 2028. The entire year of 2028 is designated as a transitional period: families receiving old benefits will be able to voluntarily switch to the new payment. Until this moment, the experimental mechanism remains fully in effect.
