Winter Thousand: How Ukrainians Bypass Spending Rules for Assistance.

According to ТСН: In Ukraine, the payment of the 'winter support' assistance continues. More than 3.5 million people have already received these funds. However, despite the limited purpose of the 'winter thousand', Ukrainians have found ways to use them.

Next, let's look at the details of this program, as well as what exactly Ukrainians are spending the funds on.

'Winter support': What it is and how to receive it

On November 15, a program started in Ukraine that provides a one-time payment of 1000 UAH to all citizens officially residing in the country. Even children can receive these funds — parents can apply for assistance on their behalf. This money must be used by June 30, 2026.

Who is eligible for 6,500 UAH

On November 21, the 'winter support' program for 6500 UAH began. This assistance can be received by Ukrainians who have suffered from the war or are in difficult life circumstances, including:

• children under guardianship or care;
• children with disabilities, including those in foster families and family-type children's homes;
• persons with disabilities of the first group among internally displaced persons;
• children among IDPs receiving housing assistance;
• children from low-income families under 18;
• lonely pensioners receiving a caregiver allowance.

The funds must be spent within 180 days from the date of receipt; otherwise, they will return to the Pension Fund.

More information about 'winter support' programs for citizens and businesses can be found on the platform zyma.gov.ua.

How to apply for the 'winter support' assistance

Applications for payments can be submitted in several ways:

• Through the ‘Diia’ application

Applications for the 1000 UAH and 6500 UAH support will be accepted from November 15 to December 24, 2025. Funds will be credited to the 'National Cashback' card.

• Through 'Ukrposhta'

From November 18, pensioners and social assistance recipients will automatically receive 1000 UAH credited to the account where their pension or assistance is deposited. Citizens whose pension is deposited in a bank account and who do not use 'Diia' can submit a written application at the Ukrposhta branch until December 24, 2025.

• Through the Pension Fund

Here you can apply for the 6500 UAH support. To do this, you need to go to the Pension Fund branch, prepare your card or digital 'Diia Card', and fill out an application with a staff member.

It is expected that assistance for low-income individuals will be paid automatically. State registries contain information about all individuals receiving social payments. The funds will be transferred to a special account listed in the database.

Where can 'winter support' funds be spent

The funds can only be spent on goods and services produced in Ukraine:

• utilities — electricity, gas, heating, water;
• groceries — payments in supermarkets and grocery stores;
• medications and medical products — in pharmacies;
• books and printed materials;
• postal services;
• donations to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and charitable projects.

The 'winter thousand' can only be spent using MCC codes approved by a Cabinet resolution. If the store's code is included in the specified list, the payment will go through successfully. Cash withdrawal from the account is not possible.

Permitted MCC codes:

• 4900 — utilities
• 5411 — grocery stores and supermarkets
• 5499 — other food points
• 5912 — pharmacies
• 5942, 5994 — books and printed products
• 8398 — charitable organizations
• 9402 — postal services

Can 1000 UAH be spent on groceries

Social networks are actively discussing where the 'winter support' funds can be spent and are trying to find loopholes to bypass the rules.

For example, Ukrainians are wondering if they can spend 1000 UAH on groceries at supermarkets 'Silpo' or 'ATB', or go to the cinema with these funds.

Users on the Threads social network have information about how the money was misused. Although there is a clear list of where 'winter support' can be spent, many note that they directed funds to support the Ukrainian army.

Often Ukrainians complain that it's hard to find places where they can pay 1000 UAH: for example, utilities are paid by renters, or difficulties arise with spending in supermarkets. Earlier, funds from the 'National Cashback' card could be used for a wide range of services, but the list was limited to comply with 'winter support' since November 22.

Girls are actively looking for tips on how to place orders on websites 'Makeup', 'Eva' or 'Maudau' to settle with 'winter thousand'. According to their statements, this is how they buy cosmetics, household chemicals and other goods.

“I ordered a package from Makeup for UkrPoshta with cash on delivery, settled with the winter 1000”, said user Liza. Such posts appear quite frequently.

At the same time, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko reported that within the framework of the 'winter support' program, more than 14 million Ukrainians have already applied for the 1000 UAH assistance. Of those funds, 3.5 million people have already received, spending 473 million UAH.

According to her, the largest share of Ukrainians' spending goes to utilities (80%), as well as popular books, medications, and donations to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.