Parents of soldiers have the right to utility benefits: the main condition.

According to ТСН: Supporting the families of Ukrainian defenders is an important task for the state. A common question arises: can parents of combatants receive benefits if they have not reached retirement age? The answer is positive: the status of incapacity is not mandatory for receiving basic utility benefits, but there are important conditions.

The combatant's certificate opens access to significant social and utility support. Parents of servicemen who have this status can take advantage of a number of benefits according to the Law of Ukraine No. 3551-XII 'On the Status of War Veterans, Guarantees of Their Social Protection' and the current regulations of the Pension Fund of Ukraine.

Right of working parents to benefits

According to the legislation, parents of combatants can use benefits even if they are working. The main thing is not age or health status, but the fact of cohabitation.

When a serviceman receives the UBD status, he is entitled to a 75% discount on utility payments. This discount applies to the beneficiary and his family members living with him. This list includes:

• Wife or husband.
• Minor children.
• Mother and father (regardless of their ability to work), provided they live together and are registered at the same address.

Thus, if you live with your son or daughter who has UBD status, you are officially considered part of the family, and the discount is also applied to your share of consumption.

List of benefits for parents (regardless of ability to work)

Provided that you live with your child with UBD status, parents are entitled to:

• 75% discount on apartment rent within social norms (21 sq.m per person plus 10.5 sq.m for the family).
• 75% discount on utility services: gas supply, electricity, water, and heating. For people with disabilities, the discount may be 100%;
• 75% discount on fuel if the house is not connected to central heating.

The role of the 'incapacitated' status: when is it important

Although work capacity is not critically important for basic benefits, the term 'incapacitated' is included in the law to provide additional advantages in two cases:

• If the family consists exclusively of incapacitated individuals (for example, pensioner parents living alone or together with a child who has UBD status), the state allows counting the benefit for heating gas on an area twice as large as standard — 42 square meters per person instead of 21.
• In case of the serviceman's death, the right to benefits as 'family members of the deceased' is granted only to incapacitated parents (pensioners or disabled persons).

What needs to be done to obtain benefits

The main requirement is confirmation of cohabitation. If you live separately from your UBD child, it is impossible to receive these benefits for your own housing. If you live together, the algorithm is as follows:

1. Prepare documents. You will need the child's UBD certificate, birth certificate (to confirm the family relationship), passports, identification codes, and a certificate of residence registration (or an extract from the register) confirming the joint address.
2. Submit an application. Contact the Pension Fund of Ukraine in person, send documents by mail, or use the electronic services portal of the PFU or the 'Diia' application (if you have 'Diia.Signature').
3. Receive a decision. After verifying the data, the benefit will be activated for your joint household.

However, it is important to remember that supporting the families of defenders is not only about benefits, but also honoring their courage and self-sacrifice. According to recent studies, many parents of servicemen face difficulties in obtaining all necessary documents, so it is important to know your rights and opportunities. The more information is provided, the better they can cope with the challenges they face.