Ukraine Announces New Monthly Child Benefit for Displaced Families Starting February 2026

Overhaul of State Support for Internally Displaced Persons

According to ХВИЛЯ: A new system of state support for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) will take effect in 2026. Beginning February 1, 2026, a new monthly payment of 3,000 Ukrainian hryvnias (UAH) will be introduced for each displaced child, specifically intended to help cover housing rental costs. This program is expected to assist over 400,000 children in need of support amid the country's challenging economic conditions. This initiative is part of a broader effort to support Ukrainian families displaced by the ongoing war.

This child benefit is not means-tested against total family income, allowing many more households to qualify for financial aid. Funding for the project, approximately 7 billion UAH, has been reallocated from other sources. Alongside these new payments, the standard subsistence payments will remain in place: 2,000 UAH for adults and 3,000 UAH for children and persons with disabilities. It is important to note that all such assistance is granted for a fixed period of six months.

Revised Eligibility Criteria and Financial Scrutiny

The new system also updates the income criteria for receiving basic aid. The average monthly income per person must not exceed 10,380 UAH, a figure based on four times the subsistence minimum for non-working individuals. To prevent misuse of funds, asset controls have been strengthened. Assistance will be denied or revoked if, within the preceding three months, any family member has:

• purchased a car manufactured less than five years ago;
• acquired real estate or land plots valued over 100,000 UAH;
• held bank deposits exceeding 100,000 UAH;
• purchased foreign currency or precious metals to the same value (excluding expenses for medical treatment or education);
• owned housing in safe territories exceeding 13.65 square meters per person.

Certain categories will continue to receive payments automatically, regardless of income. These include:

• pensioners (with payments up to 10,380 UAH);
• persons with disabilities of groups I and II;
• orphans and children deprived of parental care (up to age 23);
• foster parents, adoptive parents, and guardians.

These reforms to the IDP support system aim to improve the financial stability of families facing hardship due to war and internal displacement.

The changes to the state support system for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) reflect the growing need to assist Ukraine's most vulnerable populations. The introduction of new child benefits and updated income criteria demonstrates the state's effort to adapt its social policy to the realities imposed by the war.