Military merit payments: how to apply for assistance to military personnel and families of the deceased

Military personnel, veterans with special merits to Ukraine, and family members of deceased awardees can receive monthly cash assistance. Its size depends on the state award and ranges from 1 to 3 minimum wages, and since 2026, the rules for payments have changed for families with several recipients.

This is reported by “News.LIVE” .

Military personnel and veterans who have been awarded certain state awards since 2014, as well as family members of awardees in the event of their death or demise, are entitled to a monthly payment .

Assistance can be received by persons who:

• received the title of Hero of Ukraine with the award of the Order of the Golden Star;
• awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky of all 3 degrees;
• awarded the Order “For Courage” of all 3 degrees;
• awarded the Order of Princess Olga of all 3 degrees;
• received the award of the President of Ukraine “Cross of Military Merit”.

Under the conditions specified by law, the right to payments after the death or demise of the awarded person may be received by his or her parents, spouse, and children.

There are age restrictions for children. In particular, those who are studying full-time can receive assistance until they complete their studies, but no longer than until the age of 23. The same age limit applies to orphans, regardless of their studies.

The amount of assistance depends on the award :

• 3 minimum wages – for Heroes of Ukraine awarded the Order of the Golden Star;
• 2 minimum wages – for those awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky of all 3 degrees;
• 1.5 times the minimum wage – for those awarded the President of Ukraine’s award “Cross of Military Merit”;
• 1 minimum wage – for those awarded the Order “For Courage” of all 3 degrees or the Order of Princess Olga of all 3 degrees.

For family members of the deceased, from January 1, 2026, an allowance in the amount of 1.5 times the minimum wage, determined as of January 1 of the relevant year, is provided. If 2 or more family members are entitled to the payment, the funds are distributed equally between them.

If a person is entitled to this assistance and at the same time to a pension for special services to Ukraine or other payments provided for by law, he or she must choose one of the grounds for receiving funds.

You can submit an application in one of 2 ways :

• personally apply to the territorial body of the Pension Fund of Ukraine;
• use the Pension Fund’s electronic services web portal by selecting the “Application for the assignment of a monthly cash payment to certain categories of citizens” item in the “Communications with the Pension Fund” section.

The procedure for assigning and paying assistance is determined by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 79 of January 20, 2023.

We remind you that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has allocated an additional UAH 60 billion for the needs of the Defense Forces . The funds will be used to pay military personnel, support their families, purchase weapons, and ensure the operation of units.

It was previously reported that Ukraine lacks $27 billion to cover the needs of its defense budget. The government plans to find about $7 billion domestically, and is working out mechanisms to attract the remaining $20 billion together with international partners.

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