Ukraine: information for guests

£200 arrival one-off payment

As a Ukrainian refugee, you are entitled to a one-off payment of £200 upon arrival. To claim this, either you or your host should email refugeesupport@suffolk.gov.uk once you are at their accommodation, and use the title ‘Refugee £200 payment’ in the subject line. You will need to provide your name and either a contact email or mobile phone number, the address where you are living and your date of arrival. If you have children, please provide their names but your email address or phone number.

You will receive one e-voucher per person (for example, if you have two children, you will receive three e-vouchers. The vouchers all look the same, so you need to open all three text messages or emails in order to access all three E-vouchers). The e-voucher link can be opened directly from the text or email; there is no need to download the Wonde app, but if you have any difficulty opening the e-vouchers, please email us at refugeesupport@suffolk.gov.uk. 

The e-vouchers can be cashed at Post Offices, and you can choose to cash all three at the same time, or separately on different dates. Please note that it can take up to 3 working days for the Post Office computer system to be able to recognise and redeem the voucher number and provide the cash payment. This means, for instance, that any e-vouchers we request on a Friday are not live on the Post Office system before the following Tuesday.

Universal Credit / Pension Credit

It is important that you make a claim for Universal Credit or Pension Credit (depending on your age) as soon as you arrive in the UK. This monthly payment will help with your living costs.

If you are claiming as a couple and only one partner is over pension age, you should both claim Universal Credit. The partner who is above pension age will be moved into the 'No Work Related Requirements' group. When both partners are over pension age, you can claim Pension Credit.

The easiest way to make a new Universal Credit application is online with GOV.UK. You can also call 0800 328 5644 for advice. 

Other Financial support

You may also be eligible for other financial support including Housing Benefit, Personal Independence Payment, Child Disability Living Allowance, Carers Allowance and/or Attendance Allowance, depending on your situation. Visit the Government website to find out what you are entitled to.

Opening a UK bank account

To receive Universal Credit and other benefits, you will need to open a bank account. You can do this by visiting any bank.

A number of high street and online banks are offering accounts for Ukrainian guests specifically.

Whichever bank you choose, when you go to open your bank account you will need to take the documents that show your identity, immigration status and address.

National Debtline

The National Debtline offers free, confidential and independent advice about debt and money problems. Telephone 0808 808 4000 or visit the National Debtline website.

Citizens Advice

You can get advice on issues including benefits, employment, immigration, debt and legal advice from your local Citizens Advice centre. They also offer a Help to Claim scheme that can support you to apply for benefits. Visit the Citizens Advice website or call 03444 111 444

Independent living payment

Suffolk County Council is offering a one-off Independent Living Payment of £2,000 to all Ukrainian guests who are part of the Homes For Ukraine Scheme. This is to support people who are leaving their host accommodation and moving into their own home. In order to issue this payment, Suffolk County Council will ask to see a copy of a valid tenancy agreement in the guest’s name.

In order to receive payment Ukrainian guests will need to meet the following criteria:

• Guests must be moving from their Suffolk host or sponsor into independent housing after the 1^st of April 2023.
• Guests must be registered with Suffolk County Council’s Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme.
• Guests must have been living with a sponsor or host under the Suffolk Homes for Ukraine scheme for a minimum of two months.
• Guest must have a valid, current UK bank account in their own name.
• Guests must provide a signed and current tenancy agreement for the address they are moving in to.

Only one claim can be made per new household. Attempts to make multiple claims will be rejected.

The funding can be used for purchasing items to support the move to independent accommodation or to help with the cost of moving. The new accommodation can be either furnished or unfurnished and can be situated out of Suffolk.

You can apply for the Independent Living Payment by downloading the form. Please send the completed application form and copy of your tenancy agreement to Suffolk County Council at refugeesupport@suffolk.gov.uk

If successful, the payment will be paid as part of the Homes for Ukraine standard monthly payment run on the third Wednesday of each month.

If you require support in filling out the form, please email refugeesupport@suffolk.gov.uk and a caseworker will help you.

Apply for support with costs involved with setting up independent living.

How the NHS works

How the NHS Works: Ukrainian version (PDF, 470KB)

How the NHS works: Russian version (PDF 470KB)

How the NHS works: English version (PDF, 581KB)

Using the NHS when moving to England

Find a Doctor

You can receive emergency treatment from a local doctor (called a General Practitioner or GP) for up to 14 days after your arrival without registering. After that, you need to register. Find out how to register with a doctor on the NHS website.

If you are pregnant, a GP can arrange an appointment with a midwife for you.

If you take regular medication, you will need to visit your new GP to get a prescription for this to continue. You should then take this prescription to a pharmacy or chemist to receive the medication. You may need to pay for prescription medicines. Pharmacists can also give free advice on treating minor health problems, such as colds and coughs. Find a pharmacy near you.

You can get free health advice from the NHS by phoning 111 (interpreter service available) or visit the NHS 111 website. 

Find a Dentist

Ukrainian nationals can register with a dentist as either an NHS patient or a private patient. Find a dentist near you.

If you are receiving Universal Credit, you should let the practice know and register as an NHS patient, then your check-ups and necessary treatments will be free. 

Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health

The UK charity Barnardo's have set up a free Ukrainian Support Helpline, which is staffed by English, Ukrainian and Russian speakers. To get help and advice on a range of topics, call 0800 148 8586, Monday to Friday (10am to 8pm) and Saturday (10am to 3pm).

Psychology Tools has provided free resources about trauma and stress in Ukrainian, Polish and Russian. 

School staff may find these resources to welcome refugee children and families and help them to process the difficulties they have faced, published by our Psychology & Therapeutic Services team, useful.

COVID vaccinations

The COVID-19 vaccine is free to everyone in the UK, including migrants. Information about getting a vaccine if you don't have an NHS number is available on GOV.UK in English and Ukrainian.

Health information in other languages

The NHS has collated a range of health information that is available in different languages, including Ukrainian and Russian. The topics include babies, cancer, heart health and mental health. View health information in other languages.

Living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19

As we learn to live safely with coronavirus (COVID-19), there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and passing it on to others. View this information in other languages including English, Russian and Ukrainian.

Vaccine information infographic - English (PDF, 277KB)

Vaccine information infographic - Russian (PDF, 275KB)

Vaccine information infographic - Ukrainian (PDF, 275KB).

Citizens Advice

You can get advice on issues including benefits, employment, immigration, debt and legal advice from your local Citizens Advice centre. They also offer a Help to Claim scheme that can support you to apply for benefits. Visit the Citizens Advice website or call 03444 111 444.

Migrant Help UK

Migrant Help UK provides advice and support to asylum seekers, refugees and victims of modern slavery and trafficking. Telephone: 0808 801 0503, email info@migranthelpuk.org or visit the Migrant Help UK website.

Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline

This helpline provides information and remediation support to people who have suffered labour exploitation and labour abuse. Telephone: 08000 121700.

Refugee Council

The Refugee Council provides support and advice to refugees and asylum seekers. Telephone: 0207 346 6700 or visit the Refugee Council website 

Suffolk Refugee Support

Suffolk Refugee Support provide help for refugees and asylum seekers, including free advice sessions and dedicated activities. Telephone: 01473 400785 or visit the Suffolk Refugee Support website.  

Ukrainian Embassy 

Embassy of Ukraine to the United Kingdom

You can apply for a school place for your child as soon as you arrive. Starting school can help children settle in and make friends. You can apply yourself, or ask your host to help you. You can apply for your child to start in the new school year in September or in the middle of the school year by using the links below.

Applications for school places for refugee pupils should be made to the School Admissions Team for community and voluntary controlled schools, or to academies and voluntary aided schools directly.

Applying for a school place

Find out about applying for a school place.

Applying for a school place during the school year

Find information about making an in-year application. 

Home to school transport

Some children are eligible for free home to school transport. To find out more and apply, visit the Suffolk on Board website.

The video below gives further guidance on applying for Home to School Transport.

Free school meals

Children in the school years Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 automatically get free school meals. Children in Year 3 or above may be eligible for free school meals. This includes if their parent is receiving Universal Credit.

Find out more information or apply for free school meals.

Childcare

Ukrainian nationals can get advice and support to find childcare from our Family Information Service. 

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

If your child has special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), you can find information about the help available to them in Suffolk at the Suffolk Local Offer website. 

Suffolk SENDIASS also provide advice to parents of children with SEND. You might find their ‘What is SEN’ and ‘How we can help you’ leaflets, translated into different languages including Ukrainian, helpful. 

Information for Guests

After you have been with your host for 4 months you should expect to have a conversation with them about staying with them beyond 6 months. Sponsors originally signed up for 6 months and they are under no obligation to continue to 12 months. Their circumstances may have changed and they may ask you to look for alternative accommodation.

You may not be ready to move to your own accommodation and wish to find a new host on the Homes for Ukraine scheme that will offer you a room in their home. The following guide sets out what you need to do.  If you wish to stay in the same area you could contact local faith groups, community groups or the original charity that helped you, for example Reset, to find out if new hosts are available. If you find a new host check with them that they are registered on the Homes for Ukraine scheme as this will be important if that new host wishes to be paid the £350 thank you payment.

Any host you go to will be entitled to £500 thank you payment per month once you have been in the UK for 12 months.

You may wish to look for a host in another part of the UK. Contact one of the Recognised Providers who may help you find a new host in that area. Suffolk County Council will not be able to help you find a new host in an area outside of Suffolk. When you find a new host, please ask them to email refugeesupport@suffolk.gov.uk so that Suffolk County Council can contact the new council to seek their agreement to the rematch and to ensure the necessary checks are made and the new living arrangements are suitable. 

If you are really struggling to find a new host on the Homes for Ukraine scheme (for example in the local area where you already have children at a local school) then you can contact Suffolk County Council at refugeesupport@suffolk.gov.uk for help but due to the availability of hosts, the County Council may not be able to meet location and timescale requests.

At the 10-month stage, as you are coming up to living in the UK for a year Suffolk County Council will carry out a further welfare check and ask for an update on the plans for your stay after 12 months, We will contact the host via email with a questionnaire and we will send you a request to book a telephone call with one of our casework team. It is very important that we speak with you at this stage and would be grateful if you could reply with a suitable date for us to call you.

Information for guests who have hosts who at 6 months do not wish to continue to host - English text version (doc, 58KB)

Information for guests who have hosts who at 6 months do not wish to continue to host - Ukrainian text version (doc, 58KB)

Information for guests who have hosts who at 6 months do not wish to continue to host - Russian text version (doc, 46KB).

Moving to rented housing -  a short guide

Renting a property from a private landlord will enable you to leave your Homes for Ukraine host accommodation and get your own living space. If your host cannot continue to have you in their home at some point after the initial 6 months or if you wish to relocate to a different area, you will need to find your own accommodation.

Moving to rented housing (English text version) (PDF, 299KB)

Moving to rented housing (Ukrainian text version) (PDF, 206KB)

Moving to rented housing (Russian text version) (PDF, 205KB)

Where to go for help regarding private rented housing

If you are looking for private rented housing you may be able to get help with meeting the requirements requested by a landlord to rent housing, the initial deposit, early month’s rent, or tenancy agreement by speaking to your local District or Borough Council Housing Department. To access this support, at the 4 month welfare check with Anglia Care Trust please give consent to the “Duty to Refer” to your local district or borough council. You will then receive a phone call from the relevant council who will discuss your needs and the support that may be available. If you have had your 4 month check and now find you need to move to private rented accommodation, please email refugeesupport@suffolk.gov.uk who will be able to help you. Below is a summary of help that is available and how to contact each District or Borough Council.

Private rented housing offer from Suffolk Local Authorities - Ukrainian guest information

This table describes the services available to Ukrainian guests that are looking for assistance with private rented housing. The first column describes the service that might be required by the guest (for example help with a deposit on a private rented property) and the column for each district or borough describes the terms of the offer for this in their area. A standard amount per household is not offered in Suffolk - help is available as may be necessary to meet individual needs of Ukrainian families that qualify for support.

Ukrainian refugees who come to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme will receive a visa giving you the right to remain for an initial period of three years. You will have the right to work, to receive public funds such as Universal Credit, and access to public services such as schools and health care. 

It’s important that you know your rights and entitlements if you do work.

Workers Rights Leaflet – Ukrainian version

Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline

This helpline provides information and remediation support to people who have suffered labour exploitation and labour abuse. Telephone: 08000 121700.

There are a number of places in Suffolk that offer English courses for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). These include:

• West Suffolk College
• Suffolk New College
• Realise Futures
• Ipswich Community Media
• Suffolk Refugee Support
• PHOEBE
• Oasis English Language School

You will have an assessment first to see which level of provision would best meet your needs. 

The Open University offers free online resources for Ukrainians settling in the UK.

From free courses in the English language to articles on mental health and wellbeing, visit The Open University to find out more. 

Language Apps and Resources

Please note: external resources, tools and apps may not be accessible to users of assistive technology. Suffolk County Council has not checked and is not responsible for the content of third-party websites and apps.

Ukraine Unlimited 

You may find the Ukraine Unlimited app helpful, which offers a range of free reading, listening and other material for children and adults in both English and Ukrainian. You can download it via the Google Play Store (Ukraine Unlimited Learning – Apps on Google Play) or the Apple App Store (Ukraine Unlimited Learning - Apps on the Apple Store)

English with Ukrainians

English with Ukrainians, set up by teachers from the University of Kharkiv, have made over 20 hours of English lessons available for free on YouTube. Visit the English with Ukrainians channel. 

Transport

Rail operators are providing Ukrainian refugees with a single onward journey via National Rail free of charge on arrival in Great Britain to their final destination. You have 48 hours to make your onward journey. You only need to show a Ukrainian passport and a boarding pass or ticket showing arrival into the country within the last 48 hours. All the information is on the National Rail Enquiries website in both English and Ukrainian.

Connecting Communities is a transport service provided by Suffolk County Council designed to help people travel around the county of Suffolk who might not have access to a regular bus service. 

If you have a Ukrainian driving licence, you can exchange it for a UK licence for a small fee, as Ukraine has an exchange agreement with the UK. Find out how to exchange a foreign driving licence on GOV.UK.

Food

Food banks can provide you with free food and other essential items. Visit Trussell Trust to find a local food bank 

Phones and connectivity

The mobile phone provider Three is offering a package for Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK with a free, 30 day, pay-as-you-go SIM card, unlimited UK calls and texts and free calls and texts from the UK to Ukraine.

Vodafone offer offering free SIM cards for 6 months. These can only be received via their charity partners - Suffolk Refugee Support are one of these partners.

Virgin Media O2 have removed data charges for data use in Ukraine and will credit charges for calls and texts to and from Ukraine and the UK for their customers. 

Fire Safety in the home 

Fire safety leaflet in Ukrainian (PDF, 3578KB)

Fire safety leaflet in English (GOV.UK)