How Ukrainians can stay warm: what support will private homeowners receive?

Ukraine has a state support program for households that heat their homes with solid fuel. The Pension Fund of Ukraine has clarified who is eligible for these benefits and how to apply for assistance in 2026.

Citizens can take advantage of the following forms of assistance: housing subsidies for utility payments, subsidies for purchasing solid or liquid fuel, and cash benefits for utility payments. In addition, additional support is provided for purchasing solid fuel during the heating season. An application for benefits can be submitted in person or online through the “Diya Portal”, the Pension Fund’s mobile application, administrative service centers, or Pension Fund services.

After processing the submitted applications, the Pension Fund transfers information to regional military administrations, which forward it to international organizations involved in financing assistance. Payments are made at the beginning of the heating season, with priority given. In the event of a change in circumstances that affects the right to a benefit, the recipient is obliged to submit a new application within 30 days.

In 2026, firewood from the state will be provided to the following categories of citizens: recipients of subsidies or benefits for solid fuel, single pensioners, single parents, large families, persons with disabilities, families with children with disabilities, foster families, family-type orphanages, as well as internally displaced persons and those receiving assistance at the birth of a child.

Residents of territories bordering hostilities will also be provided with a one-time cash assistance for the purchase of firewood and solid fuel. The provision of in-kind assistance, including “free firewood”, is organized by the regional military administration, not the Pension Fund of Ukraine.

We remind you that the changes may lead to the abolition of subsidies for utility payments, according to the International Monetary Fund. Previously, Naftogaz warned debtors about how to avoid losing the right to subsidies, and new rules for paying for gas were also introduced, under which there is a single payment instead of two.