Winter Support 2025: What Does the One-Time Payment of 1,000 UAH Mean and Who Will Receive the Most Help from the State
The government has completed the formation of the “Winter Support” package, which is set to become the main tool for seasonal assistance to citizens ahead of the cold period. The central element of the program is a one-time payment of 1,000 UAH for every citizen currently residing in Ukraine. This decision aims to cover as many people as possible and support them during a time of increased expenses for utilities and basic needs.
The application period is clearly defined: from November 15 to December 24, 2025. Every citizen of Ukraine who is currently in the country can apply, regardless of their place of residence or status. It is possible to apply for assistance both for oneself and for a child. The head of government emphasized:
“Starting this Saturday, November 15 until December 24, 2025, every Ukrainian will be able to submit an application in Diia for 1,000 UAH. You can apply for assistance both for yourself and for your child.”
In this way, the state emphasizes the simplicity of the application process and minimizes bureaucracy a particularly important condition in wartime.
Two Ways to Receive Funds
The program provides two payout channels to ensure maximum accessibility:
- Via the Diia app
After processing the application, the funds will be credited to the “National Cashback” card. They can be spent only on certain categories:- utility bills,
- medicines,
- Ukrainian-made food products,
- postal services,
- books,
- charity and donations to the Defense Forces.
- At a Ukrposhta branch
In this case, the state will open a special account. Funds received in this way will also have targeted use – they can be spent at Ukrposhta branches on Ukrainian-made goods, utility payments, or charity.
All payments will remain available until June 30, 2026. This gives citizens time to use the assistance when it is most needed.
Targeted Support: 6,500 UAH for the Most Vulnerable
A separate block of “Winter Support” is the additional one-time payment of 6,500 UAH for categories that need the most protection. The program will cover over 660,000 citizens.
This list includes:
- orphans,
- children under guardianship,
- children with disabilities in foster families,
- internally displaced children,
- IDPs with disabilities,
- lonely pensioners.
Accrual will take place automatically via the Pension Fund, with no applications or additional appeals needed. This is important, as this group most often faces digital barriers and limited access to services. The funds can be used for medicines, warm clothing, and footwear. The launch of the program is scheduled for early December.
Comprehensive Winter Package: What Else Does the State Promise
President Volodymyr Zelensky has tasked the government with forming a full set of support measures. The first direction is financial aid. Next comes intensified work with vulnerable population groups. Interim decisions already outline the following initiatives:
- Transport program “UZ-3000”, which will allow every citizen to travel up to 3,000 km by train within the country for free;
- medical check-ups for adults, which the Ministry of Health is preparing to launch in January 2026;
- fixed tariffs for gas and electricity for households throughout the winter.
The government must present all the details of the winter package by November 15 so that the programs can start operating in December.
Post List
War, inflation, rising utility costs, and seasonal pressure on family budgets create a situation where even small targeted aid can make a real difference. The “Winter Support” package is structured to reach as many people as possible but also to ensure that funds are not “dissolved” in everyday expenses without benefit. Restrictions on targeted use emphasize the state’s intention to direct funds specifically to basic and critically important services. This also reduces the risk of abuse. For vulnerable categories separate mechanisms that do not require any action from recipients. At the same time, the logic of the program sends an important signal: the state is trying to offer a maximally simple model of support, which works equally for everyone and does not require additional barriers or bureaucracy.
The “Winter Support” program has become one of the most comprehensive social initiatives of this season. It combines a mass one-time payment of 1,000 UAH, targeted aid of 6,500 UAH, free transport services, the preparation of medical check-ups, and guarantees of stable tariffs throughout the winter. Its effectiveness will depend on how quickly and accurately the application infrastructure operates, as well as on whether the most vulnerable categories can truly receive what they are entitled to. However, the very structure of the program demonstrates the state’s intention to act systematically and predictably in conditions of high social risks.
What are your expectations of this program? Do you plan to apply for the payments, and which method of receiving them seems more convenient for you?
About the Author
Related posts:
Childbirth payments in Ukraine 2025: new rules, increased support, and what families need to know 
Gas Season 2025/2026: How Naftogaz Is Preparing for Winter During Wartime 
New Rules for Disability Support in Ukraine: What Changes from July 1 
New Land Payment Rules When Changing Property Owner: A Step Toward Transparency and Simplification
