Financial support for Ukrainian guests

Welcome and financial support available for Ukrainian families who are in Leicestershire as part of the British government's Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Welcome payments

Every Ukrainian refugee staying in Leicestershire will receive a one-time 'Welcome' payment of £200 on a payment card. Payments for children will be added to the lead guest's payment card. These cards are posted directly to the guests at their sponsor/host address, by recorded delivery. This support is intended to help Ukrainians when they first arrive in the Country therefore cards will remain active for 6 months from being sent out and will then be closed and any balance recovered.

To trigger these payments, Leicestershire hosts (sponsors) must complete their Guest Arrival Form to tell us that their guests are here. We will then process their welcome payment cards (and the sponsor 'thank you' payments).

Travel grant

Ukrainian refugee guests are being offered a one-time travel grant to support their travel needs in Leicestershire.

The travel grant of £65 will enable the purchase of a short-term bus pass, or help with other travel costs when Ukrainian guests arrive in Leicestershire.

The travel grant is only available once for each guest, and only to those who have been hosted on the Homes for Ukraine scheme in Leicestershire and currently live in Leicestershire.

Since November 2023 this grant of £65 to support travel is automatically added to guests payment card alongside the £200 welcome payment.

A travel grant provides flexibility as it could:

  • be used on different bus routes, taxis, multiple single trips over a longer period
  • go towards the purchase of a bicycle
  • allow travel over an unspecified time frame

For any other enquiries about transport support in Leicestershire please contact HomesforUkraine@leics.gov.uk

Child Benefit payments

Anyone coming to the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme or Homes for Ukraine scheme is entitled to claim Child Benefit immediately, rather than having to wait for the usual three-month qualifying period.

To claim, complete a CH2 Child Benefit claim form and submit this by post to the Child Benefit office. The address is included on the form.

You should provide an original birth certificate and the passport or travel document used to enter the UK. Where this documentation is not immediately available, we advise you to include a note in your claim and someone from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will be in touch to discuss further.

If you want more information on Child Benefit, visit the Government’s Child Benefit page or call 0300 200 3100 (from inside the UK).

Other support

Ukrainians on the Homes for Ukraine scheme can access Universal Credit and other benefits while looking for work. Department for Work and Pensions and your Homes for Ukraine Support workers can help you to understand and access this.

The British Red Cross may also be able to provide support to Ukrainian guests.