“Schoolchild’s Package”: which families of first-graders will not receive UAH 5,000 for school preparation
21 July 2025 15:33
Starting in 2025, Ukrainian families whose children enter the first grade will receive a one-time non-cash allowance for school preparation. The payment of UAH 5,000 is stipulated by the Cabinet of Ministers’ Resolution No. 809 of July 7, 2025.
Who will receive the aid?
The government has provided that the assistance will be provided to one of the parents or legal guardians of a child who is enrolled in the first grade of a general secondary education institution in Ukraine in the 2025/2026 academic year.
“The payment of UAH 5,000 is intended for every child who goes to school for the first time. Only citizens of Ukraine can receive it,” explained lawyer Igor Feshchenko in an exclusive commentary for "Komersant Ukrainian".
What about orphans or children deprived of parental care?
In this case, the recipient may be an authorized representative of a foster family, a family-type orphanage, or an institution where the child permanently resides.
How and when to apply?
You can apply until November 15, 2025 through the Diia application . The Ministry of Education provides data on first-grade students, and the Pension Fund carries out the verification.
“Based on the results of the interaction between the Pension Fund, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance, recipients of Diia will automatically receive a notification on their phone about the possibility of applying,” the resolution says.
In the absence of technical capability or a mobile application, the application can be submitted in paper form to the Pension Fund’s service center.
What can the money be spent on?
According to the lawyer, the state has clearly defined that these funds are earmarked:
“The payment is provided exclusively in non-cash form. It can only be used to buy school supplies, clothes and shoes for a student at retail outlets registered in Ukraine that have the appropriate Merchant Category Code,” said Igor Feshchenko.
The funds can be spent only in stores registered with the appropriate MCC code (category of activity), which indicates the sale of the above goods.
“The money will be credited to a special account such as Diia.Card or another account with a special regime opened by one of the authorized banks,” explained Igor Feshchenko.
What to do if you don’t have a special account
If you have not opened an account for the previous programs (ePromotion, Winter Support, etc.), you need to contact an authorized bank. Account opening services are free of charge.
How long do I have to use the funds?
According to the lawyer, the funds must be used within 180 calendar days from the date of their transfer to the special account. After that, unused funds are returned to the Pension Fund.
Who will not receive assistance?
The payment is NOT provided
- if the child has not started school;
- if the child is left to repeat the first grade;
- if the child has moved abroad for permanent or temporary residence;
- if the child is in the temporarily occupied territory.
However, if the child returns to the government-controlled territory, the assistance will be available.
Are these 5,000 UAH taken into account when calculating income for subsidies?
No. According to the resolution, the amount of one-time assistance is not taken into account when calculating the total family income for other social benefits.
What else is important to know?
According to Feshchenko, in the event of a dispute between parents – in particular in cases of divorce – financial assistance is not provided until such a dispute is resolved. Only one of the representatives can receive the payment.
- The application in Diia can be made in any form, but must contain the personal data of the child and the applicant, as well as the number of the special account.
- If two parents submit an application, only one will be considered (the one submitted first).
- In the event of a dispute between the parents as to who will receive the payment, the assistance is provided after the dispute is resolved.
the “Schoolchildren’s Package” is another step by the government to support families in preparing their children for school. The program will be launched in the summer of 2025. In order to receive the payment, it is recommended to install the Diia app, check the availability of a special bank account and submit an application by November 15, 2025.
