Financial support
Ukrainian guests are entitled to a one-off £200 payment to help with immediate costs.
Full details of eligibility for this payment (e.g. payments for children and babies) are being decided by the Government.
If you have arrived in the UK with a Ukrainian Family Visa, you are not entitled to the £200 payment.
You are entitled to work while you are living in the UK. Before you can start work, you need to apply for a National Insurance number. If you are unable to find a job straight away or need additional financial support, you are eligible to apply for benefits immediately. Find out what support is available to you.
A local Jobcentre Plus, can also help you find employment and assess you for financial benefits.
Guidance for claiming Child Benefit
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 3-month qualifying period.
People who wish to claim should complete a CH2 Child Benefit claim form and submit this by post to the Child Benefit office. The address is included on the form.
They should provide an original birth certificate and the passport or travel document used to enter the UK. Where this documentation is not immediately available, people are advised to include a note in their claim and someone from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will be in touch to discuss further.
Anyone wanting more information on Child Benefit can visit GOV.UK or call 0300 200 3100 (from inside the UK).
Funded childcare
Parents of young children arriving in the UK through the Homes for Ukraine scheme will be able to access funded childcare if they meet the existing eligibility criteria.
The Government funds early education entitlements (free hours of childcare) for parents of young children:
- all parents of 3 and 4-year-olds can access 15 free hours of childcare per week, regardless of their immigration status or whether they are working
- eligible working parents of 3- and 4-year-olds can access an additional 15 hours of childcare, known as the ‘30 Hours’ entitlement
- disadvantaged 2-year-olds may be eligible to access 15 free hours of childcare
Find out more about funded childcare
Or, visit the Childcare Choices website where there is more information about the options available.
Supporting Ukrainian Refugees to open a bank account in the UK by NatWest
NatWest Bank designed a dedicated account opening journey for Ukrainian refugees that will enable them to effortlessly open a bank account.
A new dedicated webpage has been created to give Ukrainian refugees the information they need to support their application, including translated guidance in Ukrainian and Russian.
Users can either print an application form directly from the above web page, or they can collect one from their local branch.
Healthy Start scheme
Food Vouchers are available to help you buy fruit, vegetables and milk if you’re on a low income, pregnant or have a child under four years old.