The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the first reading the draft law on basic social assistance

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the first reading draft law No. 15094, which provides for a significant update of the social support system. The document proposes to introduce a new unified type of state assistance in Ukraine – basic social assistance for the most vulnerable categories of citizens. This was reported by the press service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

The main goal of the bill is to implement European standards for supporting low-income families. The new approach should combine cash payments with comprehensive social services that will be provided taking into account the individual needs of each household. The bill, which is being developed by the Committee on Social Policy and Protection of Veterans’ Rights, provides for several important changes in the social sphere.

For low-income families with children, basic assistance is proposed to be provided upon application in case of voluntary refusal of other types of payments. This includes, in particular, assistance to single mothers, payments for children in large families, as well as assistance for children whose parents evade paying alimony, cannot support the child, or whose whereabouts are unknown.

The document also provides for the right of citizens to simultaneously receive basic social assistance and state assistance for people who have reached retirement age but do not have sufficient insurance experience to receive a regular pension.

The size of the basic amount will be determined annually in the Law on the State Budget of Ukraine. At the same time, it cannot be lower than the official subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons.

For a family, the amount of assistance will be calculated at 100% of the base amount for the first family member or their authorized representative and 100% of the base amount for each subsequent family member. Separate amounts of payments for other persons with disabilities will be determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

In addition to financial support, the reform provides for more active work by the state. Social protection bodies in communities should independently identify families in difficult life circumstances and help them with the paperwork.

Able-bodied recipients of assistance will also be encouraged to return to the labor market so that they can achieve financial independence.

Since the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Finance has allocated 106 billion hryvnias for social payments. In the first quarter of 2026, the government fully financed all planned expenditures under the Ministry of Social Policy, ensuring the timely accrual of pensions, assistance to people with disabilities, and other important payments for citizens.