UN Overhauls Aid for Displaced Persons Starting April 1: Who Qualifies for 12,300 UAH

Updated Rules for Financial Assistance

According to ХВИЛЯ: Starting April 1, 2026, the UN Refugee Agency has revised its financial aid framework in Ukraine. Going forward, only internally displaced persons meeting specific vulnerability criteria will receive payments. The enhanced assistance totals 12,300 UAH per person over three months. Standard payments for the second and third groups amount to 10,800 UAH per person over the same period, representing a significant reduction compared to earlier programs.

Eligibility Categories for Aid

Three applicant categories have been established:

• First category: Individuals evacuated from frontline areas within the last 45 days, families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by shelling, and households where someone has been injured.
• Second category: Those who left between 45 days and 6 months ago.
• Third category: People who returned home from abroad or other regions of Ukraine between three months and one year ago.

The previous income threshold of 5,400 UAH is no longer in effect. For the emergency category, which includes the most vulnerable individuals, aid will be provided if the family's monthly income does not exceed 6,318 UAH per person. For those who left between 45 days and 6 months ago, as well as returnees, the income limit is 8,300 UAH per person per month. Importantly, if an applicant received financial assistance from any international organization within the last three months, the system will automatically reject the application.

The UNHCR's 'Rental Market Initiative' (RMI) also offers rental support for a six-month period. The main program covers Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Kirovohrad Oblast, Poltava Oblast, and Zaporizhzhia Oblast, while separate projects by the 'Right to Protection' foundation operate in Odesa, Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv, and Sumy oblasts.

To register for assistance, applicants need passports for all family members, taxpayer identification codes, children's birth certificates, and documents proving vulnerability. Funds are transferred to a standard IBAN account under the primary applicant's name. The 'ePidtrymka' card is not suitable for receiving aid; if no bank card is available, funds can be collected via Western Union or Privat Money without fees.

Online, particularly on Facebook and TikTok, misinformation is spreading about two supposedly new UN payments - 1,800 UAH monthly for frontline residents and 2,300 UAH for long-term displaced persons. Neither of these programs currently exists under the UN.

Iryna Poliakova, UN Refugee Agency Representative

The UN Refugee Agency's revised financial aid rules in Ukraine could significantly impact the lives of many displaced individuals. The new vulnerability criteria and income adjustments reflect the realities faced by conflict-affected families. Reduced payments and new restrictions may create additional hardships for those already in difficult circumstances.

It is crucial for displaced persons to stay informed about the updated rules and have access to verified information, as this will help prevent misunderstandings and ensure proper support during challenging times. The identification of new vulnerability categories can also assist in better addressing the needs of different population groups requiring assistance.

As the UN implements these new financial aid guidelines, it's essential to stay informed about other related developments in support for displaced individuals. Notably, Ukraine has extended IDP payments to 30 months and introduced child assistance without income verification starting February 2026, which could significantly impact many families navigating these changes.