New assistance to IDPs, єOsela programme and bodycam subpoenas: key changes from 1 September, which await Ukrainians

New rules come into force in Ukraine on 1 September: what will change for students, pensioners and resettlers. From the beginning of autumn, Ukrainians will face a number of significant changes that will affect education, social payments and utility tariffs. Part of the innovations concerns students and teachers, another - pensioners and temporarily displaced persons.

Socialportal tells about the important changes of autumn, which will come into force from 1 September 2025.

Pensions, subsidies, tariffs and assistance to IDPs

Pension supplements

From September 2025 Ukrainian pensioners will receive additional payments. Mass changes in the pension system are not envisaged, but the state has provided additions for people who have reached a certain age. The additional payment is calculated automatically and depends on the age:

• 70-74 years - 300 UAH;

• 75-79 years - 456 UAH;

• 80 years and older - 570 UAH.

In addition, single pensioners over 80 years old can count on separate assistance if they need constant care and have no able-bodied relatives. This requires a conclusion of a medical advisory commission and an application to the Pension Fund.

Tariffs for public utilities

In September, Ukrainians will continue to pay for utilities at the same rates. Prices will remain stable due to the current government moratorium.

• Electricity - 4.32 UAH/kWh (day tariff), 2.16 UAH/kWh (night tariff). Additional favourable rates are provided for three-zone meters.

• Gas - 7.96 UAH/m³ (fixed tariff from Naftogaz until April 2026).

• Water - no changes, but tariffs depend on the region (for example, in Kiev - 30.38 UAH/m³).

• Heating and hot water - tariffs are frozen, the cost will depend on actual consumption and weather conditions.

Subsidies

In September, the automatic assignment of subsidies for the non-heating season continues. However, in some cases it is necessary to submit an application to the PFU - for example, if the housing is rented, the family has a GPO or the actual number of residents is less than the registered number.

The subsidy may be refused if the household has debts on communal services more than 680 UAH, has recently made large purchases (more than 100 thousand UAH), the car is less than 5 years old or the area of housing is too large.

Support for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

The Government has extended payments for vulnerable categories of IDPs until February 2026. The amount of assistance remains the same: 2000 UAH for adults and 3000 UAH for children and people with disabilities.

The rules regarding deposits have also changed: now orphans and those deprived of parental care can have more than 10 thousand UAH on their accounts and still receive payments.

"єOsela" for IDPs: from 10 September the updated mechanism will work

Ukraine has expanded the conditions of participation in the military mortgage programme "єOselia" for internally displaced persons and residents of frontline regions. Now the state assumes a significant part of the costs of the initial instalment and payment of monthly instalments.

New conditions of the programme

According to the changes, coming into force from 10 September 2025, participants will be able to count on:

• reimbursement of up to 70% of the first mortgage instalment;

• payment of up to 70% of monthly instalments during the first year;

• additional assistance in the amount of up to UAH 40 thousand for related expenses during the transaction.

The updated rules primarily concern internally displaced persons, as well as citizens living in settlements near the front line. These categories are traditionally considered the most vulnerable in terms of housing.

New allowance for military personnel

On 1 September, new rules for granting a one-time allowance in the amount of UAH 1 million for military personnel aged 18-25 came into force. It can be received by contract servicemen, officers, as well as persons who have passed recertification. The main conditions: citizenship of Ukraine, absence of criminal record and limited number of disciplinary penalties.

The payment is granted when participating in combat operations from one to six months in the AFU, National Guard, State Border Service or units of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Also, since September, all TCC employees are required to wear body cameras. Delivery of summonses and document checks are recorded on video, otherwise employees face disciplinary liability.

School, institutes and scholarships

From 1 September, schools in Ukraine are switching to an updated format of education. The Ministry of Education has made the system flexible and adaptive, especially for frontline regions.

• Distance learning can now be organised even for a group of five pupils, instead of a whole parallel.

• Face-to-face classes are possible only where there are safe shelters within 500 metres. The decision is made jointly by the school administration and military authorities.

• Frontline regions can choose their own format: face-to-face, mixed or distance.

• Children abroad will be able to either study at the local school and take the Ukrainian programme remotely in parallel, or switch completely to online education according to the Ukrainian standard.

In addition, teachers working in difficult conditions have been given a monthly supplementary payment of 2000 UAH (2600 before taxes). New subjects have been added to the school programme: energy efficiency and "Defence of Ukraine" for high school students.

Military training for students

In the new academic year, Ukrainian students will receive compulsory basic military training. For young men of 18-25 years of age, recognised fit for service, it will replace compulsory military service. Girls can join voluntarily.

The programme includes 90 academic hours of theory and 210 hours of practice. After credit, students will be allowed to attend training camps at military centres, which will take place from May to October. Failure to complete the training for boys may result in expulsion.

Presidential Scholarships

From September 2025, the amount of presidential scholarships will increase, and their number will reach 400. The new amounts will be:

• for students of vocational schools - 6 320 UAH;

• students of colleges and technical schools - UAH 7,600; students of universities - UAH 10,000; and

• university students - UAH 10,000; postgraduates - UAH 23,700;

• postgraduates - 23 700 UAH.

In addition, school graduates who scored 185 points or more on the NFT will receive 10,000 UAH each.

New rules for credit unions

The National Bank of Ukraine has introduced new requirements for credit unions from 1 September. Among them: restrictions on currency risks, clarification of calculation of ratios and mandatory introduction of a currency risk management system. For adaptation, the organisations have been given a transition period until 1 January 2026.

Additional trains in September: schedule from Ukrzaliznytsia

In September, Ukrzaliznytsia will launch a number of additional trains to relieve passenger flows and provide convenient connections between regions.

Chop - Kremenchug (#260/259)

• From Chop: from 2 September on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Departure at 14:24, arrival in Kremenchug at 13:33 the next day.

• From Kremenchug: from 3 September on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Departure at 14:18, arrival in Chop - at 12:45 the next day.

Yasinya - Kropivnitsky (No. 258/257)

• From Yasinya: from 2 September on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Departure at 14:55, arrival in Kropivnitsky - at 13:05.

• From Kropivnitsky: from 3 September on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Departure at 14:38, arrival in Yasina - at 13:18.

Kiev - Poltava (#222/221)

The train will run from 3 to 29 September on odd numbers.

• From Kiev: departure at 07:57, arrival in Poltava - at 12:39.

• From Poltava: departure at 14:59, arrival in Kiev - at 20:10.

Stops are provided at the stations Grebenka, Lubny and Mirgorod. The train consists of compartment and parcel carriages, adapted to the format of seats of the corresponding class.

Abroad: new rules of entry to Latvia

From 1 September Latvia changes the entry procedure for citizens of Ukraine and a number of other non-EU, NATO and OECD countries. Now, 48 hours before travelling it is necessary to fill in an online questionnaire at eta.gov.lv.

The questionnaire specifies the purpose of the visit, route, period of stay, place of residence, as well as information on civil service and participation in elections. It must be submitted personally by the traveller, and the confirmation is sent by e-mail.

Failure to submit the form may result in a fine of up to 2000 euros and refusal of entry. Data verification is possible not only at the border, but also within the country.