The Rada adopted a law on basic social assistance
The Verkhovna Rada on October 13 adopted in second reading and as a whole the law on basic social assistance (No. 15094). The document provides for a transition from several separate social payments to a unified support system for low-income families. New rules are to take effect on January 1, 2028.
This was announced by the press service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
The law changes the approach to the assignment of state support. Instead of primarily focusing on citizens' belonging to certain social categories, actual financial situation of the family, its composition, income and individual needs will be taken into account.
The amount of basic social assistance will be determined individually — as the difference between the calculated basic amount for the family and its average monthly total income. The new payment cannot be less than the total state support that the family or individual received at the time of application.
The new system will cover, in particular, low-income families, single mothers, large families, children whose parents evade alimony payments, as well as certain categories of people with disabilities and persons who are not entitled to a pension.
According to the parliament, the terms of the appointment of basic social assistance will depend on the circumstances:
- three months — for families in crisis situation;
- six months — for families in difficult life circumstances;
- one year — for large families;
- lifelong — for certain categories of persons determined by law.
The Cabinet of Ministers may establish cases when the assistance appointed for six months will be automatically extended for a similar period.
In addition to cash payments, the new model provides social support of families. Social managers will assess the needs of families, help organize necessary services, and for able-bodied family members who do not work, support in finding employment and professional training is provided.
To assess the financial situation of families, information from state electronic registers will be used. Local self-government bodies should also help people get information about available support and process documents.
The transition to basic social assistance will be voluntary. As the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity clarified, citizens will decide on their own whether to switch to the new mechanism. Previously assigned types of social assistance will continue to be paid in accordance with current conditions.
During 2028, a transition period is provided for recipients of certain state payments. Financing of the new system will be carried out mainly from the state budget, and attracting international aid and donor funds is also allowed.
Minister of Social Policy Denys Ulyutin noted that the adoption of the law is one of the conditions for receiving $200 million budget financing of social payments from the World Bank under the SPIRIT project. The introduction of targeted social assistance is also linked to Ukraine's commitments to the EU and the IMF.
However, basic social assistance is not an absolutely new payment. Since July 2025, an experimental project of its provision has been operating in Ukraine. Within the pilot program, a basic amount of 4500 UAH is used for calculation, and you can apply for assistance through the Pension Fund or the Diia application. The adopted law creates the legal basis for transition from the experimental mechanism to a permanent system.
To complete the legislative procedure, the adopted document must be signed by the president and officially promulgated.
Based on materials from: Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ministry of Social Policy, Pension Fund of Ukraine