First payment to guests: Homes for Ukraine
Making the first (interim) payments to guests.
Applies to England
First payment to guests
The council where the sponsor accommodation is located should provide an interim payment of £200 per guest for subsistence costs. This is in line with other resettlement schemes.
As those arriving will probably not have immediate access to a bank account, it is recommended this payment is made in cash. More information on access to bank accounts can be found in the guidance for guests.
Working age guests will be able to apply to receive Universal Credit and will be able to apply for advance payments where eligible.
Councils and guest funding
The £200 payment is factored into the tariff and does not need to be repaid by the guest. Councils should agree a plan locally to determine how this payment is delivered.
Councils will also have discretion within the tariff to top-up or further support guests with interim or additional payments.
There is more information about government funding for councils.