Financial Assistance for Veterans with Visual Impairments

Розпочато прийом заяв на отримання одноразової грошової допомоги для ветеранів і ветеранок, які повністю або частково втратили зір під час захисту незалежності, суверенітету та територіальної цілісності України. У межах ініціативи надається допомога від Українського Червоного Хреста для облаштування побуту та створення більш комфортного й безпечного житлового простору. Мета програми — підтримати відновлення, адаптацію та гідне повернення ветеранів і ветеранок через створення більш доступних, комфортних і безпечних умов для повсякденного життя. 

The programme is open to combat veterans and persons with war-related disabilities who have completely or partially lost their eyesight while defending Ukraine.

Key eligibility requirements include:

• applicants must belong to one of the designated beneficiary categories;
• eligible applicants are those who have completely or partially lost their eyesight while defending Ukraine;
• receiving other forms of state or international assistance does not affect eligibility for this programme.

Under the grant programme, veterans may receive up to UAH 95,000 from the Ukrainian Red Cross to improve their living conditions and create a safer and more comfortable home environment.

Funding will be provided as follows:

• funds will be transferred between 1 August and 30 October 2026 to special accounts established by the Ukrainian Red Cross;
• applicants will be notified of the transfer by SMS;
• after receiving the notification, the veteran (or their legal representative) must visit the nearest Oschadbank or Ukrgasbank branch with the confirmation letter and approved invoices;
• payment will be made directly from the special account to the supplier's account through the authorized bank no later than 30 October 2026.

The grant programme provides access to 26 types of household appliances and assistive devices designed to help veterans live more independently, comfortably, and safely.

Supported items include, among others:

• smartphones, tablets, computers, and laptops with screen-reading or voice output functions;
• smart household appliances with mechanical or voice control, including microwave ovens, multicookers, air fryers, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners;
• smart watches, fitness trackers, and GPS navigation devices;
• lighting sensors, motion-activated night lights, voice-enabled scales, and talking thermometers;
• televisions or media players with voice control;
• refrigerators, kitchen appliances with audio guidance, and other adaptive household equipment;
• specialized devices for working with visual information, reading machines, and digital audio recorders;
• medical measuring devices with voice output, home fitness equipment, assistive software, and other supportive technologies.

The purpose of the programme is to support the recovery, adaptation, and successful reintegration of veterans by creating more accessible, comfortable, and safer living conditions.

Applicants follow the programme according to the established timeline and key milestones.

• Applications open on 1 July 2026.
• Applications and the required supporting documents are accepted until 31 July 2026 (inclusive).
• After applications are processed, the Ukrainian Red Cross transfers funds to special accounts from 1 August to 30 October 2026. Applicants are notified of the transfer by SMS.
• Funds are transferred from the special account to the retailer's account through an authorized bank cashier until 30 October 2026 (inclusive).

Applicants submit their application to the veterans policy unit responsible for their registered or declared place of residence. Internally displaced persons submit the application according to their actual place of residence indicated in their IDP certificate.

Documents may be submitted:

• in person or through an authorized representative;
• by mail;
• electronically.

The application must include:

• an informed consent form;
• an invoice or invoices specifying the retailer's details and the list of requested items;
• a specialist's medical opinion or another document confirming complete or partial vision loss, in accordance with the programme requirements.

The application should contain the applicant's personal, residence and contact information. If an authorized representative submits the application, copies of the representative's identification document and proof of authorization must also be provided.

After the application is registered and the documents are verified, the applicant is notified of the result within three working days. If assistance is approved, the applicant must open a special account with Oschadbank or Ukrgasbank and within three working days submit the bank account details to the responsible veterans policy unit.

Applicants must prepare and submit a complete set of required documents in accordance with the programme requirements.

The application must include:

• an informed consent form;
• an invoice or invoices indicating the retailer's details and the list of requested items;
• a specialist's medical opinion (Form No. 028/o) or another eligible document confirming complete or partial vision loss.

The application should also contain:

• the series (if applicable) and number of the identity document confirming Ukrainian citizenship;
• the taxpayer identification number;
• the declared or registered place of residence (or the actual place of residence for internally displaced persons, as indicated in the IDP certificate);
• the applicant's mobile phone number and email address.

If the application is submitted by a legal representative or an authorized representative, the following must also be provided:

• a copy of the representative's passport or identification document;
• a document confirming the representative's authority (court decision, guardianship authority decision, or power of attorney).

Funds must be used in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 674. Assistance is provided after document verification. Payments are made only against approved invoices through a dedicated bank account.

The programme is implemented in accordance with Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 674 dated 27 May 2026, which approves the procedure for implementing the joint project with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society.

Applicants are encouraged to review the provisions of the Resolution, as it defines the detailed programme implementation rules, operational procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.