19,400 UAH in winter aid: who is eligible, and what other support programs is the Ministry of Social Policy preparing?
14 August 17:35
The Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine has received more than 2.2 billion hryvnias from UNICEF and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society for the Humanitarian Response and Resilience Fund. This was announced by Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity Denys Ulyutin, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
“This is significant financial support for Ukrainian families as winter approaches, but it also confirms trust in the state’s mechanisms for providing assistance. We have created a mechanism that allows international and humanitarian organizations to support people through the Ukrainian social protection system—quickly, transparently, and effectively,” said Denys Ulyutin.
According to the Ministry’s statement, as part of preparations for the winter season, UNICEF will provide cash assistance to vulnerable families living near the front lines. The relevant agreement is set forth in a letter of exchange signed on August 6, 2026, between UNICEF and the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine. Funds totaling 2,012,792,601 UAH will be transferred to the Humanitarian Response and Resilience Account opened by the Ministry at the National Bank of Ukraine.
“Winter poses additional challenges for families already suffering from the effects of the war,” said Anne-Claire Dufay, Head of the UNICEF Office in Ukraine. “Thanks to this partnership with the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine, UNICEF and our partners are helping to provide the most vulnerable families with children with the necessary support, especially during the difficult winter months,” she added.
According to the Ministry, the funds are intended to support people living in frontline areas and to provide necessary assistance to children and their caregivers during the harshest winter months. Under the program, more than 104,000 households will be able to receive a one-time cash payment of 19,400 UAH.
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In addition, it is reported that the Ukrainian Red Cross, with support from the U.S. government, has already transferred 223,813,000 hryvnias to the winter assistance program for vulnerable groups during the 2026/2027 heating season. The funds will be used to finance a winter support program for vulnerable Ukrainians, which provides for a one-time payment of 19,400 hryvnias per household.
Families will decide for themselves how to use these funds—from purchasing fuel or warm clothing to paying for utilities or other expenses related to preparing for winter. Payments will be made through the Pension Fund of Ukraine using existing state payment mechanisms, which will allow assistance to reach people as quickly as possible.
“Preparing for winter is always about being proactive. For people living in frontline communities, timely financial support means the opportunity to prepare for the cold, purchase necessary fuel, pay for utilities, or meet other urgent needs. That is why the Ukrainian Red Cross has allocated over 223 million hryvnias to the state winter support program,” emphasized Maksym Dotsenko, President of the Ukrainian Red Cross.
The Ministry, in cooperation with the Pension Fund of Ukraine, will be responsible for identifying recipients, verifying eligibility, and disbursing assistance in accordance with the mechanism approved by the Government of Ukraine.
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