In 2026, UNICEF will implement four cash assistance programs in Ukraine for families with children affected by military actions. Payments may be provided either directly through UNICEF and its partner organizations or through the state social protection system. The amount of assistance ranges from 4,100 to 19,400 hryvnias depending on the program and the circumstances in which the family needs support. Each program has its own selection criteria and application procedure, which is important to consider when seeking assistance.
Mult-purpose assistance after strikes and evacuation
The first program — the Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) — is aimed at families affected by missile strikes or mandatory evacuation from frontline territories. Families are identified in cooperation with local authorities, after which UNICEF and partners assess whether the household meets the program's criteria. Each selected family member may receive 12,300 hryvnias. This amount is calculated to cover basic needs for approximately three months. However, a strike or evacuation alone does not guarantee receipt of funds: program financing is limited, and the family must meet the established vulnerability criteria.
Emergency assistance for affected children
A separate emergency payment is provided for families with children directly affected by attacks involving explosive weapons. A mandatory condition is that at least one household member was injured or killed. In such cases, a qualifying family may receive a one-time payment of 16,700 hryvnias. Assistance is provided within the framework of child protection case management services and may be combined with other support, including psychological and psychosocial support. Such families are usually identified by child protection specialists or social workers supported by UNICEF and partner organizations. If a family potentially meets the criteria, the relevant specialist will contact them to assess their needs.
Compensation for infrastructure service disruptions
The third type of assistance is provided to vulnerable families affected by prolonged disruptions to essential services resulting from attacks on critical infrastructure. Under the current program, the payment is 4,100 hryvnias per eligible person. Assistance is usually provided through local social protection bodies: families are identified and verified through state systems, after which the relevant authorities make the payments. UNICEF does not conduct open online registration for this program. The launch of assistance depends on the scale of the specific crisis situation, and information about the settlements where it is available is communicated by local authorities.
Winter program 2026–2027: 19,400 hryvnias per household
The fourth program is the government winter cash assistance, funded by UNICEF. In the 2026–2027 season, qualifying families will receive 19,400 hryvnias per household. The funds are intended for additional winter-related expenses: heating, fuel, utility bills, and warm clothing. To receive the payment, two conditions must be met simultaneously. The first is to reside in a community located within 0–20 km of the front line in one of eight regions (the list of communities is published on the UNICEF website). The second is to meet at least one of 11 vulnerability criteria, including families with a disabled member or child, children in alternative care arrangements, single-parent and large families, internally displaced families receiving state support, as well as households with housing subsidies and utility bill benefits. Even when both criteria are met, an application must be submitted to receive the payment. UNICEF does not directly register families for this program, does not determine eligibility for the payment, and does not make individual payments — these functions are performed by state bodies, in particular the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine and the Pension Fund. The application deadlines, the list of required documents, and the processing procedure should be clarified with the Pension Fund, one-stop service centers (CNAP), and local authorities.
Important changes in 2026
It should be noted that in 2026 UNICEF will no longer provide winter assistance in kind, in particular solid fuel. All support under the winter program is provided exclusively in cash, giving families the freedom to allocate funds according to their specific needs. The funds can be spent at their discretion: on fuel, warm clothing, utility bills, and other needs for preparing for winter.
