Social Pension in 2026: Who Is Eligible, How to Apply and Where to Go

News about the so-called social pension has once again caught the attention of Ukrainians. In fact, this is not a classic pension but state social assistance available to people who have reached retirement age without acquiring the required insurance record. Here is who may be entitled to this payment in 2026, how to apply for social assistance or a regular pension, and which documents are needed.

The so-called “social pension” has been widely discussed in the media recently. It should be understood, however, that legally this is not a pension in the classic sense but state social assistance for persons who are not entitled to an old-age pension due to an insufficient insurance record. Such assistance is granted in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On State Social Assistance to Persons Not Entitled to a Pension and to Persons with Disabilities”.

In 2026, this assistance may be available to persons who have reached the age of 65 without acquiring the required insurance record, persons with disabilities who are not entitled to pension coverage, as well as certain other categories of citizens defined by law. For most applicants, a low-income criterion is also taken into account, although for certain categories (in particular, persons with Group I disability) this requirement does not apply.

The amount of state social assistance depends on the average monthly aggregate income of the family and is determined in accordance with current legislation. The maximum amount of this payment may not exceed the subsistence minimum for persons who have lost their capacity to work.

How to apply for social assistance (the “social pension”)

An application may be submitted in several ways:

• in person at any service centre of the Pension Fund of Ukraine;
• through an administrative services centre (TsNAP);
• through authorised officials of local self-government bodies;
• online via the Pension Fund’s electronic services web portal or the Diia portal (with a qualified electronic signature);
• by post.

As a rule, the following documents must be provided:

• an application in the prescribed form;
• a passport or ID card;
• the taxpayer registration number (RNOKPP);
• an employment record book or documents confirming employment history;
• a declaration of income and property status (where required for the relevant category);
• additional documents depending on the specific grounds for the application (for example, documents confirming disability, the death of a breadwinner or guardianship).

How to apply for a regular old-age pension

If a person has the required insurance record, they may apply for an old-age pension. To do so, they should likewise contact the Pension Fund of Ukraine in person or submit the documents remotely via the Pension Fund’s electronic account or the Diia portal. The basic set of documents includes a passport, the taxpayer registration number, documents confirming the insurance record and, where necessary, documents confirming particular periods of employment or entitlement to benefits.

In practice, however, applying for a pension or social assistance is often accompanied by questions concerning confirmation of the insurance record, the correctness of payment calculations, refusals to grant payments or the need to challenge decisions of state authorities. That is why, before submitting the documents, it is worth making sure that the package is complete and that all periods of employment are properly confirmed.

If you have further questions about applying for social assistance or a pension, confirming your insurance record or challenging decisions of the Pension Fund, or if you require legal advice or representation in court, contact the team of the Strategic Advocacy attorneys at law.