Payments and benefits

Payments

£200 welcome payment

Photograph of Money being handed out

The £200 welcome payment will be made at the second visit (the well-being visit). We are working to complete all the well-being visits as quickly as possible. 

The government has only made the £200 welcome payment available to those who arrive in the UK via the Homes for Ukraine scheme. 

£350 monthly thank you payment

Sponsors are asked to provide accommodation for a minimum of six months. They can receive an optional ‘thank you’ payment of £350 per month for up to the first 12 months of sponsorship. This is limited to one payment per address, regardless of the number of people sponsored. Payments will stop when the sponsorship ends

Thank you, payments will be made directly into a sponsors’ bank accounts, once a week at a rate of £80.55 per week.  We will contact you to arrange this once all background checks have been successfully completed. 

The ‘thank you payments’ do not affect benefit entitlement and will remain tax-free. 

The ‘thank you’ payments are only available to those sponsoring guests via the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

Sponsor thank you payments increase

Where a guest has been in the UK for more than 12 months,he Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DHLUC) have increased the thank you payments  from £350 to £500 per month

The first payments started in July and by now, everyone should have now received their uplift but if you think you are eligible and have not received this increase, please email homes.ukraine@croydon.gov.uk.

Can I charge rent?

You cannot charge rent and be paid a thank you payment at the same time, however transferring to a rental agreement with your guest, might be the best solution you and you both. 

You will not be expected to cover the costs of food and living expenses, although you may wish to offer this, especially in the early weeks while guests are finding their feet.

Please contact the Front Office to discuss the option that is suitable to your circumstances: homes.ukraine@croydon.gov.uk

Benefits information for Guests

Housing support

Picture of a house on a street

People granted leave under the Ukraine Family Scheme or the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme are eligible for social housing and homelessness assistance.

 

If you need housing support, please complete our online self-help tool. This will provide an initial housing plan which gives some information about looking for accommodation and what help is available. You will also be able to book an appointment with the homeless triage team.  

You can find more information, help, and support on our Housing pages.

Rent deposit scheme 

New rent deposit scheme for guests who want to move on to privately rented accommodation.  We will pay your first month's rent and the deposit to make it easier to find a new home.  If you are interested and want to know more, please email homes.ukraine@croydon.gov.uk.  
 

Help with my income and paying rent?

Anyone fleeing Ukraine with a visa can apply for benefits such as universal credit, state pension credit, and housing benefit from the date they arrive. Your local Job Centre Plus will be able to help you find out which benefits you may be able to access or call 0800 328 5644 for help with universal credit.

Can I get help with my council tax? 

If you're a sponsor or a Ukrainian national with a Homes for Ukraine (HFU) visa, you can read further information about the help and support available with your council tax on Homes for Ukraine: Help with Council Tax.