The family of a service member who died during martial law is entitled to a one‑off cash payment of 15 mln UAH, established by Cabinet resolution No.168. If the death is registered from 1 September 2025, 3 mln UAH is paid immediately and the remaining 12 mln UAH is distributed over 80 monthly instalments of roughly 150,000 UAH each.
Separately, the Verkhovna Rada adopted draft law No.13646 on 25 February 2026; on 26 February it was sent to the President for signature. As of October 2026 the draft law No.13646 does not have a confirmed signature, so the text below explains what would change if it is signed.
What draft law 13646 of 25.02.2026 provides
Proposed 15 mln UAH cap
Draft law No.13646 proposes to fix 15 mln UAH as the maximum amount of state assistance payable to one family of a fallen defender. At present this amount is a fixed payment made after death is confirmed; if the document is signed it would operate as a “ceiling” to which other sums already paid to the family would be counted.
For those who died instantly and whose death is documented, the amount will not change under the new rules. The family would still receive the full 15 mln UAH, and the survivor’s pension and other related benefits would be preserved.
Possible offset of payments made while a person was missing
While a service member has the status of missing in action, their family receives regular monetary provision. If draft law No.13646 is signed, the Ministry of Defence (Міноборони) explains that after death is confirmed families would be paid only the difference between sums already received and the 15 mln UAH limit: see the Ministry’s clarification.
Part of the provision paid to a missing person is held on a deposit account unless there is a personal disposition. If the service member returns, all accrued funds remain with them. According to the draft law’s text, any excess above 15 mln UAH that was paid before the changes would not have to be returned.
Who the proposed rules would apply to
The proposed rules would extend to families of service members of the security and defence forces who died or went missing in action during martial law. The Ministry of Defence (Міноборони) says the aim is that families of the killed should not receive from the state less than families of those who were initially considered missing.
A petition against the draft law has been launched and families of the missing have urged the President to veto it. The document’s status should be checked on the draft law page on the Verkhovna Rada website, and in disputed cases a written clarification should be requested from the Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support (ТЦК) or the financial department of the military unit.
Who receives the payment and in what shares
First‑priority family members
The circle of beneficiaries is defined by the Law “On the social and legal protection of service members and their families”. It includes the wife or husband, children (including adopted children and those born after the father’s death), parents who have not been deprived of parental rights, and grandchildren if their parents died earlier.
The right to payment also extends to a cohabiting partner, if cohabitation is confirmed by a court decision, and to dependants of the deceased. Dependants are determined according to the pension law for persons discharged from military service.
Distribution according to the service member’s disposition
If the service member left a personal disposition, the sums are paid to the persons named there in the shares specified. The law guarantees protected family members a mandatory share regardless of the disposition’s content.
Minor children, adult children with disabilities, an incapacitated widow or widower and incapacitated parents receive at least 50% of the equal share they would have been entitled to without a disposition. The remainder is distributed according to the deceased’s will.
Distribution if there is no disposition
If there is no disposition, the assistance is divided in equal shares between all family members entitled to receive it. If someone renounces their share, it is divided equally among the remaining beneficiaries; the renunciation must be certified by a notary or a consul abroad. The table below shows the general distribution scheme.
| Beneficiary | Share with a disposition | Share without a disposition | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wife or husband | According to the deceased’s wishes; if incapacitated, not less than 50% of an equal share | Equal share | Marriage is confirmed by a certificate |
| Children | Minor children and children with disabilities receive not less than 50% of an equal share | Equal share for each child | Includes adopted children and those born after the death |
| Parents | If incapacitated, not less than 50% of an equal share | Equal share for each parent | Excludes parents deprived of parental rights |
| Cohabiting partner | According to the deceased’s wishes | Equal share | Court decision required |
| Other dependants, grandchildren | According to the deceased’s wishes | Equal share | Dependency must be documented |
Payment structure
One‑off part
The first instalment is one‑fifth of the total amount, i.e. 3 mln UAH for the whole family. It is transferred within 5 working days after the funds arrive at the regional Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support (ТЦК) and is distributed between the beneficiaries in proportion to their shares.
Monthly payments
The remaining 12 mln UAH is paid in equal monthly instalments according to a fixed schedule. For deaths recorded by an act of civil status from 1 September 2025, the schedule is calculated over 80 months, so the family receives about 150,000 UAH each month and each beneficiary their share of that amount.
If the death was recorded before 1 September 2025, the previous procedure with instalments over 40 months remains in force. According to the Ministry of Defence, terms and amounts for such families were not revised.
How previously received sums are taken into account
While draft law No.13646 does not have a confirmed signature, monetary provision paid during the period a service member was missing is not deducted from the 15 mln UAH. If the draft law is signed, for example a family that has already received 2 mln UAH would receive 13 mln UAH after death is confirmed.
According to the State Tax Service (ДПС) clarifications, the one‑off assistance in the event of a service member’s death is not subject to personal income tax (ПДФО) or the military tax. Therefore the full amount is credited to the recipient’s account without withholdings.
Documents and application procedure
Document package
The Ministry of Defence (Міноборони) published the list of documents required for members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (ЗСУ). Each beneficiary must submit their own set:
- a written application for the one‑off cash assistance;
- passport or other identity document;
- tax identification number (RNOKPP) or a passport mark for persons who refused the code on religious grounds;
- service member’s death certificate;
- documents proving family ties: marriage certificate, birth certificate, court decision on maintenance or cohabitation;
- for persons aged 16 and over, a certificate of no criminal record or an extract, including via the Diia app;
- document proving change of surname if needed and consent to the processing of personal data.
Documents in a foreign language must be submitted with a notarised Ukrainian translation. Originals should be presented where possible.
Where to apply
Families of Armed Forces of Ukraine members (ЗСУ) should apply to their district Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support (ТЦК) regardless of registration address. Families of service members of the National Guard (Нацгвардія), Security Service of Ukraine (СБУ), State Border Guard Service (Держприкордонслужба), intelligence agencies and other formations should submit documents directly to their formation.
If the family is abroad or in temporarily occupied territory, they can apply to any Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support (ТЦК) on territory controlled by Ukraine. Online submission of applications for this assistance via the Diia app was not provided as of October 2026.
Review times
An application must be submitted within three years from the date the death certificate was issued, including when a missing person is declared deceased by a court. The case is processed in stages:
- The district Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support (ТЦК) accepts documents, certifies copies and prepares a conclusion.
- Within 7 working days the case is forwarded to the regional (city) Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support (ТЦК).
- The regional Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support (ТЦК) prepares a conclusion and sends the materials to the Ministry of Defence (Міноборони).
- The Ministry of Defence commission makes a decision and an extract from the protocol is sent to the command within 3 working days.
- The recipient is notified of the decision, after which the first instalment is paid and the monthly schedule begins.
There is no single fixed overall duration for the procedure; in practice it takes several months. The term may be extended if the circumstances of death require additional confirmation.
Problematic situations
Family disputes
Disputes most often concern the rights of a cohabiting partner or a dependant, or the contents of a disposition. Redistribution of sums already paid is possible only with the consent of all parties or by court decision.
Payment delays
If a monthly payment has not arrived, first contact the regional Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support (ТЦК) that makes the transfers. A written inquiry with an incoming registration number will be the basis for a complaint or a lawsuit.
Refusal of appointment
Common grounds for refusal include an incomplete document package, missing the three‑year deadline, or doubts about the circumstances of death. A refusal can be appealed to a higher authority or in an administrative court; the court may restore a missed deadline for good cause.
Where to get help
Ministry of Defence and Territorial Centres
The main channel for consultations is the district Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support (ТЦК) and the social service of the military unit. The Ministry of Defence’s Department of Social Security publishes clarifications on the ministry’s official website regarding the 2026 changes.
Free legal aid
Families of the deceased are entitled to free legal aid, including help drafting complaints and representation in court. The telephone number of the free legal aid system is 0 800 213 103.
Veterans’ organisations
Community veterans’ support specialists help gather documents and advise where to apply. Veterans’ organisations also consult on pensions and benefits for children of the deceased.
Frequently asked questions
Are payments received while a person was missing counted toward the 15 mln UAH?
Such offsetting is provided for by draft law No.13646, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on 25 February 2026, but as of October 2026 it does not have a confirmed signature. If the document is signed, after death is confirmed the family will receive the difference between 15 mln UAH and the amount already paid.
Can the distribution of shares be challenged?
Yes, the distribution can be challenged in court if a family member believes their rights have been violated. Voluntary redistribution is also possible by mutual agreement of the beneficiaries.
How long does the payment procedure take?
Regulations set time limits for individual stages, for example 7 working days to forward the case and 5 working days to pay the first instalment. Overall processing usually takes several months depending on the completeness of the documents.
Is the 15 mln UAH assistance taxable?
No. The one‑off assistance in the event of a service member’s death is not subject to personal income tax (ПДФО) or the military tax, according to clarifications from the State Tax Service (ДПС). The funds are transferred to the recipient’s account in full, without deductions.
