Payments for Combatants (UAF Participants)

Payments and Benefits for Combatants in 2026

Combatants are entitled to certain employment advantages, including hiring preferences and protection against dismissal. In addition, there are state support programs for veteran-owned businesses. Officially employed combatants are granted an additional 14 days of leave per year. As of April 2026, combatants are eligible for the following benefits:

• 75% discount on housing and utility payments;
• 75% discount on solid fuel or liquefied gas;
• tax benefits, including on housing rental;
• free prescription medications;
• free and priority dental prosthetics;
• free public transport in cities and suburban routes.

For retired combatants, monthly pension supplements and one-time payments are also provided.

What Laws Regulate Payments for Combatants (UBD) and Where to Check Updated Amounts in 2026

Payments for combatants (UBD) are primarily regulated by the Law of Ukraine No. 3551-XII “On the Status of War Veterans and Guarantees of Their Social Protection” and Law No. 1058-IV “On Compulsory State Pension Insurance.”

The procedure for granting UBD status is additionally governed by resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU). You can verify your status, as well as obtain information about applicable payments, their amounts, and the accrual procedure, on the website of the Ministry for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine (MinVeterans) or the PFU portal.

How to Obtain UBD Status and When the Right to Payments and Benefits Arises

UBD status is granted by commissions under military administration bodies and the Ministry for Veterans Affairs based on documents confirming a person’s participation in combat operations. A service member eligible for this status submits documents through the Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC), which forwards them to the relevant authorities.

The right to benefits arises from the moment the person is entered into the Unified State Register of War Veterans or from the issuance of a UBD certificate.

If delays occur during the recognition process or if the commission requests documents that the person does not have, it is advisable to seek professional legal assistance. In practice, TRCs or commissions may request documents not provided for by law, or require paperwork that does not match current formal standards (for example, the forms confirming participation in hostilities have changed several times during the full-scale invasion), or documents may be incorrectly completed.

The “DE-JURE” company can assist by contacting the relevant authority, submitting official requests and letters to clarify disputed issues, or helping correct documentation errors. If a mistake in the documents cannot be corrected, a lawyer will attempt to clarify the situation through all available legal means and obtain an official explanation. If this also fails, the final option is court proceedings, which may result in a judicial decision obliging the authorities to grant the person UBD status. The court is not limited by formal administrative requirements and may establish participation in combat operations based on testimony and evidence.

Utility Benefits for Combatants in 2026: Discounts and Applicable Standards

Combatants are entitled to a 75% discount on housing payments, calculated based on a standard living area of 21 m² per person plus 10.5 m² per family. This means the benefit applies only within these norms, and any excess area is paid at full cost. For example, if two people live in a 70 m² apartment, the area exceeding the established standard is charged without the discount.

A 75% discount also applies to utility services for combatants, including gas, heating, water supply, electricity, wastewater disposal, and garbage collection, within the established consumption norms. If a combatant lives in a house without centralized heating, they are entitled to 75% reimbursement for solid fuel (coal, firewood) and liquefied gas within the heating season norms. Regional authorities may apply different standards depending on average temperatures and other climatic conditions.

How to Apply for Utility Benefits Through the Pension Fund and EARP in 2026

To receive utility benefits, a combatant must submit an application to the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) for inclusion in the Unified State Automated Register of Persons Eligible for Benefits (EARP), as well as a separate application for utility discounts.

Applications can be submitted in several ways:

• online via the PFU portal or the Diia app;
• in person at a Pension Fund office or a Center for Administrative Services (CNAP);
• by mail.

The application must be accompanied by a combatant certificate, passport, tax identification number, property documents, and a certificate of family composition. The benefit should be assigned within one month.

Can UBD Benefits Be оформed by Family Members and What Documents Are Required

UBD benefits extend to family members living together with the combatant, including a spouse, minor children, and adult children with disabilities from childhood. If the combatant is unable to submit the application personally, it may be submitted by a family member or another authorized person under a power of attorney.

In such cases, one of the eligible family members applies to the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) to request inclusion in the Unified State Automated Register of Beneficiaries (EARP) and to apply for the benefit. The following documents are required:

• a copy of the UBD certificate;
• passport and tax identification number;
• child’s birth certificate;
• marriage certificate;
• proof of cohabitation (certificate of family composition or registered residence extract).

Solid Fuel and Liquefied Gas Benefits: Who Is Eligible and How to Apply in 2026

The right to discounts on solid fuel and liquefied gas applies to combatants and their family members living in homes without central heating. The discount is 75%, and the benefit is processed through the Pension Fund in the same way as other utility benefits for UBD recipients.

After approval, the individual purchases the fuel, submits supporting documents to the PFU, and then receives compensation based on the established consumption norms.

UBD Pension in 2026: Early Retirement and Basic Service Requirements

Combatants are entitled to early retirement: men from the age of 55 with at least 25 years of insurance (work) record, and women from the age of 50 with at least 20 years of service.

The pension is calculated based on insurance record and earnings, although service under martial law conditions may increase the calculation coefficient.

Pension Supplements and Increases for Combatants (UBD) in 2026: What Is Considered in the Calculation

A pension supplement is established for combatants in the amount of 25% of the subsistence minimum for persons unable to work (as of 2026, this is 148 UAH), as well as targeted monthly assistance of 40 UAH. More information about pension supplements can be obtained on the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) portal or at its service centers.

Minimum Pension Guarantees for UBD in 2026: How Targeted Assistance Works

The minimum pension for combatants, according to current regulations, cannot be lower than 210% of the subsistence minimum for persons unable to work, which equals 5,449 UAH. If the calculated pension is lower (for example, due to insufficient insurance/work record), the difference is compensated through monthly state targeted pension assistance for UBD recipients.

Additional Payments for Awards and Titles (Hero of Ukraine, Orders): Who Is Eligible in 2026

Combatants awarded state honors since 2014, as well as their family members, are entitled to increased pensions or separate monetary payments. These benefits apply to recipients of the following awards:

• Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star;
• Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky (three classes);
• Order for Courage;
• Order of Princess Olga;
• Presidential distinction “Cross of Combat Merit”.

The higher the award, the higher the additional payment. To receive this one-time financial assistance, a war veteran must apply to the PFU with the relevant application and attach documents confirming the award and their passport.

There is also a monthly payment for Heroes of Ukraine amounting to three minimum wages. Thus, the individual receives a pension supplement of approximately 20,000 UAH. If the person was awarded posthumously, family members are entitled to a payment equal to one and a half minimum wages.

One-Time Independence Day Payment in 2026: Who Is Eligible and How to Receive It

Each year, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine determines the amount of the one-time Independence Day payment based on its calculations. Pensioner combatants receive this payment together with their pension. If a person is still working (or serving in the military), they must submit a separate application to the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) to receive the payment.

How UBD Payments Are Received Automatically and When an Application Is Required

UBD pension payments, as well as the one-time Independence Day assistance, are processed automatically by the PFU after the initial pension application has been submitted.

However, to obtain UBD benefits such as utility discounts, subsidies, or additional allowances, a separate application to the Pension Fund is required. It is also necessary to inform the PFU about any changes in circumstances, such as place of residence, family composition, receipt of state awards, and similar updates.

Common Reasons for Denial of UBD Benefits/Payments and How to Appeal

The legal company “DE-JURE” frequently assists veterans who have been denied UBD status recognition or benefit payments. The most common reasons for refusals by TRCs, commissions, and other government bodies include:

• documentation deficiencies;
• missing documents;
• incorrect document format;
• improper completion of forms;
• exceeding housing norm calculations;
• separate residence of family members from the beneficiary;
• absence of required data in official registries.

The company’s lawyers address these issues by correcting documentation where possible or proving that the documents were properly issued and that the refusal is unjustified. If negotiations fail, the remaining option is to appeal the refusal through an administrative court.

Additional Local Benefits for UBD Recipients: How to Learn About Programs in Your City

Information about additional local benefits for combatants (UBD) can be obtained from local self-government authorities. These include city or village administrations, reception offices of responsible officials, social protection bodies, and local branches of the Ministry for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine.

Where UBD Recipients Should Apply in 2026: PFU, CNAP, Diia, and Social Protection Authorities

Where a combatant should apply depends on the purpose of the request.

For utility benefits such as heating and other communal services, applications should be submitted to the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU), either online or in person. UBD status can be obtained through Centers for Administrative Services (CNAP). The Unified Register of Veterans can be used to verify whether information about participation in combat operations is recorded.

Some applications can also be submitted through the Diia app, depending on its available functions.