Housing benefits for combatants: what you need to know

What the law provides for

According to Article 12 of the Law of Ukraine «On the Status of War Veterans, Guarantees of Their Social Protection», persons with the status of combatant provided 75 % discounts for housing and communal services and related payments.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine also provides relevant resolutions and clarifications on the application of these benefits.

Who is entitled to benefits

The following are entitled to 75 % discounts:

• myself combatant, which has the appropriate UBD status;

• his family members who live together with a beneficiary, in particular:
  - wife or husband,
  - children under 18 years of age,
  - unmarried adult children with disabilities of group I or II,
  - persons caring for a war veteran of the first disability group (provided that he or she is not married),
  - Parents who are unable to work,
  - persons under guardianship or custody (if living together).

You should note: the benefit not automatically provided After obtaining the status, it is necessary to arrange through the Pension Fund or other authorised bodies.

What is covered by the benefit

Benefit 75 % applies to such services:

• Rent (use of accommodation) - within the established standards: 21 m² of total floor space for each family member, plus 10.5 m² for the whole family.

• Utilitiesgas, electricity, water supply and sewerage, garbage collection, and other utilities under the terms of contracts.

• Liquefied petroleum gas for domestic use, within consumption standards.

• Solid fuels or other fuels (including liquid fuels), for households without central heating, also subject to compliance with the regulations.

In the case of families where all household members are disabled, a discount for heating gas can be calculated for double the standard area (42 m² per person + 21 m² per family).

If several persons in one dwelling are eligible for benefits (for example, two persons with disabilities), the benefit is accrued to one of them - the one entitled to the higher percentage of the discount.

How to apply for a benefit

Steps for registration:

1. Submit an application for entering information into the The Unified State Automated Register of Persons entitled to Benefits (USARP) (if the data has not yet been entered).

2. Submit an application for a housing and communal services benefit (to the Pension Fund of Ukraine or authorised centres).

3. Add the necessary documents:

   • passport, TIN, ID card,

   • bank account details,

   • personal utility account numbers,

   • documents confirming family ties (if the application is submitted by a family member).

4. Submit applications in person, through ASCs, the Pension Fund, online through the Pension Fund's web portal or other electronic services.

Terms of review and submission:

• The Pension Fund must consider the application within 10 days, and then notify the applicant of the decision within 3 days.

• The benefit is granted in in cashFirst, you pay the full amount of utility bills, and the part corresponding to the benefit is returned to your account.

What to keep in mind

• The benefit is valid for only within the established standards of living space and consumption. Exceeding these norms will have to be paid in full.

• If several persons are entitled to benefits in the same dwelling, the benefit is applied to one of them on the basis of the principle of greater benefit. The benefit indirectly link with family income - it is provided regardless of the average monthly income.

• If you are not eligible in person (for example, in the battlefield or in hospital), a family member can submit an application for you with copies of documents.