Financial guidance for Ukrainian refugees

Under both the Homes for Ukraine scheme and the Ukraine family scheme, Ukrainian arrivals will be able to work and get benefits.

Welcome payment for sponsored arrivals

Each sponsored person that arrives by the Homes for Ukraine scheme gets £200.

These welcome payments are given at drop-in sessions held in our offices at 222 Upper Street, N1 1XR. Our team will contact you to plan a good time for you to collect your payment.

Monthly payment for hosts

Homes for Ukraine hosts can get an optional ‘thank you’ payment of £350 per month per address for six months, however many guests you host.

If the hosting arrangement continues after six months, payment will increase to £550.

These payments will be made in arrears by Islington Council after inspection and confirmation of hosting arrangements. You do not need to contact the council regarding these payments. A staff member will be in touch by email with instructions on how to apply once the following has been done.

• Property checks are completed and your property is suitable.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and safeguarding checks are completed and approved.
• The Ukrainian national is living in your accommodation.
• A council staff member has conducted a home visit to meet you and the Ukrainian national living at your address.

Please note, payments will only be issued to the lead sponsor.

Grants

Grant to help with moving-in costs

If you choose to rent in the private sector, we can help by paying some of your deposit and first month rent payment.

We know that not being able to pay this money all in one go can be a big barrier to renting in the private sector market and we want to help you with this.

You do not need to pay this money back and you are able to get this support even if you have already moved into private rented sector accommodation.

If you would like to find out more about this grant, please get in touch with us by emailing resettlement@islington.gov.uk.

Development grant

Our development grant is to help you to become part of your new local community. 

We hope that you can use this money to take part in activities that will make a difference to your life and help you fulfil your goals.

Adults can apply for up to £500 of grant money. You can also apply for a £500 grant for each of your dependants.

Examples of what you may want to spend the grant on are:

• education, training items or courses to support educational achievement and increase employment opportunities such as:
  • help with getting a driving licence
  • help with reaccreditation courses
  • purchasing textbooks
  • private tuition
  • laptops
• social or leisure activities that promote social and emotional wellbeing, like:
  • gym memberships
  • music lessons
  • art workshops
  • social group trips
• travel costs for these activities.

This list is not all it can be used on. If you have other ideas, you can suggest these when applying for the grant.

How to apply

To be eligible for this grant, you must have:

• arrived in the UK by the Homes for Ukraine visa scheme
• been sponsored by a host in Islington
• lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 months
• been issued with a welcome payment or visited at your sponsor’s home by a council officer.

If successful, you will receive the grant direct to your bank account. You will be told how to provide your bank details.

To apply, please complete the form and we will get back to you within five working days.

Apply now

Setting up bank accounts

You can open a bank account with a UK bank of your choice. Some major UK banks include Barclays, Santander, and Lloyds. 

To open a bank account many banks will need proof of address.

If this is difficult, you can set up a bank account with an online bank such as Monzo or with Natwest’s dedicated account for Ukrainian refugees.

If you find opening a bank account difficult, the council can give you a letter of support to help. Please email resettlement@islington.gov.uk. 

Claiming benefits and finding employment

Visit the Job Centre Plus in Islington for help with applying for a national insurance number, claiming welfare benefits and finding employment. There are two locations in Islington.

• Finsbury Park Job Centre Plus, 52 – 53 Medina Road London N7 7JX
• Barnsbury Job Centre Plus, 1 Barnsbury Rd, N1 0EX.

If you have no income, we advise you to make a claim for Universal Credit as soon as you can.

Apply for Universal Credit online on GOV.UK.

If you need help understanding your benefits or applying for Universal Credit, please contact Islington’s Income Maximisation (IMAX) team.

Child benefit

If you are responsible for a child who is under 16, or under 20 and in approved education or training, you will usually be able to claim child benefit. You can find out more and claim child benefit on the Government's child benefit webpages.

You can get assistance with applying for child benefit from the Job Centre or the council’s iMAX team.