Ukraine to Increase Caregiver Stipend for Mental Health Patients to 3,209 Hryvnias in 2026

New Maximum Stipend for Mental Health Caregivers

According to ХВИЛЯ: Starting January 1, 2026, the maximum monthly state stipend for those caring for individuals with mental disorders will be set at 3,209 hryvnias. This financial assistance is available to able-bodied persons who permanently live with or are registered at the same address as a person with a Group I or II disability due to a mental health condition. A key requirement is a medical commission's conclusion confirming the need for constant care. This policy is part of Ukraine's broader social support system, which has been adapting to meet the needs of vulnerable groups during a period of national recovery.

Governed by the 'On Psychiatric Care' law, this payment cannot exceed the subsistence minimum for one person, which is also 3,209 hryvnias. The stipend is typically granted for a six-month period, though non-working pensioners may receive it for a full year from the outset.

How to Apply for the Caregiver Stipend

Applications can be submitted in person at a service center of the Pension Fund of Ukraine, through Administrative Service Centers (ASCs), local councils, by post, or via the 'Diia' government portal. Applicants must prepare several documents, including:

• A declaration of income and assets;
• Personal identification;
• Taxpayer registration number (RNOKPP);
• Income certificate, if required;
• The medical commission's conclusion on the need for constant care.

Additional documents may sometimes be necessary:

• A copy of the extract from the expert team's decision assessing the daily functioning of the person with a disability;
• An inspection report on the household's living conditions if the caregiver's registered address differs from that of the person receiving care.

The final stipend amount is calculated as the difference between three subsistence minimums for each family member and the household's average total monthly income over the previous six months, according to the Pension Fund of Ukraine.

The introduction of these new stipend regulations for caregivers of individuals with mental disorders marks a significant step in supporting vulnerable segments of the population. It aims to provide a better standard of living for those assisting family members with disabilities and underscores the state's commitment to social protection.

Once the new provisions take effect, the number of applications for this assistance is expected to rise, as the payment will become more accessible to those in need.