“School Starter Kit”: Parents of first-graders can now apply for payments
3 August 19:52
Families whose children will be starting first grade this year can now apply for the “Schoolchild’s Package” government assistance—a one-time payment of 5,000 UAH, which can be used to purchase necessary school supplies, clothing, and shoes before the start of the school year, according to the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine, as reported by "Komersant Ukrainian".
“The government program, initiated by the President of Ukraine, is being implemented for the second consecutive year. It is designed to help families during a time when preparing a child for school requires the greatest expenses,” the statement reads.
It is noted that the payment is awarded to one of the parents or the legal guardian of a child who is entering first grade this year at a general secondary school in Ukraine.
If the family is temporarily abroad, they can apply for the assistance upon their return to Ukraine.
At the same time, for families residing in temporarily occupied territories, the payment will be available upon their return to territory controlled by Ukraine.
The ministry explained that to apply for the “Schoolchild’s Package,” an application must be submitted in one of two ways: online via the “Diya” app, or in person at service centers of the Pension Fund of Ukraine.
The Ministry of Social Policy noted that starting in 2026, these funds can be used under 30 MSS codes designated for all targeted “child” benefits.
The list can be found in the section “Questions and Answers Regarding Assistance for Families with Children” at the following link: https://www.msp.gov.ua/otrymuvacham-soc-pidtrymky/simyam/pytannya-vidpovidi-shchodo-derzhavnykh-dopomoh
Who is eligible for the “Schoolchild Package”?
The program provides a one-time payment of 5,000 hryvnias for each child enrolled in first grade this year.
The following individuals may apply for the benefit:
- one of the parents;
- an adoptive parent;
- a guardian or other legal representative of the child.
If two or more children are entering first grade at the same time (for example, twins), the benefit can be received separately for each first-grader.
However, the benefit will not be granted if the child has moved abroad permanently or is residing in a temporarily occupied territory for which no end date to the occupation has yet been determined. Another reason for denial may be if the other parent has already submitted an application or if there is a dispute among the legal representatives regarding who should receive the funds.
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How to Apply
Once the service is launched, parents will be able to apply for the benefit in two ways:
- online via the “Diya” app;
- in person at a service center of the Pension Fund of Ukraine.
To submit an application in “Diya,” you need to:
- update the app;
- select the “School Supplies Package” service;
- select the child for whom the benefit is being applied for;
- specify or open a Diia Card or a special account at a partner bank;
- review the information and sign the application using Dii.Signature.
If the child’s information does not automatically appear in the app, the Ministry of Digital Transformation recommends first contacting the school to ensure that the enrollment data has been entered into the state education system. If the information has been entered but the service is still unavailable, you should contact the Pension Fund’s service center.
You can submit documents to receive the benefit until November 1, 2026. If you apply later, this may be grounds for denying the payment.
What can you spend 5,000 hryvnias on?
The funds will not be deposited into a regular bank card but into a special designated account.
The funds may only be used electronically to purchase:
- school supplies;
- office supplies;
- books;
- children’s clothing;
- shoes.
You cannot withdraw these funds in cash or transfer them to another card.
You must use the assistance within 180 calendar days after it is credited to your account. Any unused balance will be returned to the state budget.
When to Expect Payment
After submitting the application, the Pension Fund will verify the information and decide whether to grant the assistance. If all conditions are met, the funds will be transferred to the applicant’s special account.
The program was initially expected to launch at the end of July, but the start date has now been officially postponed to the beginning of next week. Once the service is available, the Ministry of Digital Transformation will announce it separately, and parents will be able to submit applications through “Diy” or the Pension Fund.
Why the program’s launch was postponed
Earlier, on July 31, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation Valeria Koval announced that the launch of the “Schoolchild’s Package” state program in the “Diya” app had been postponed until the beginning of next week. Accordingly, parents of future first-graders will have to wait a little longer before they can apply for the one-time government assistance.
According to the official, the decision was made following a massive Russian attack on Ukraine on the night of July 30, which resulted in the deaths of civilians, including children.
“Due to the massive Russian shelling last night, as well as, unfortunately, the deaths of children, we decided to postpone the launch until the beginning of next week. So you’ll have to wait just a little longer,” Valeria Koval wrote.
She added that they will announce the start of the application period separately. A notification will also appear in the “Diya” app.
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