Payments to sponsors and guests
Payments for guests
Under the scheme, the goverment is offering a one-off £200 interim payment for each guest to help with living costs.
For your guests to receive their payment card, you must tell us when your guests have arrived.
At the moment, local councils arrange the £200 payment to guests as soon as they are advised that they have arrived. Payment methods vary between councils. Essex County Council will be issuing payment cards which can be used in shops, online and at a cashpoint for withdrawing money.
Essex County Council will be responsible for this payment in all districts, except for Harlow, Basildon, Braintree and Colchester.
The British Red Cross provides £50 per person to Ukrainians arriving into the UK. Ukrainians must be on the visa scheme or the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Claims must be made within the first 14 days of arrival. To access this funding call 0808 196 3651.
Payments to sponsors
The government is offering an optional 'thank you' payment of £350 per month to people who can accommodate one or more guests.
Essex County Council is responsible for administering these payments in Essex, excluding Southend and Thurrock Councils who are responsible for their areas.
In addition, Essex County Council will offer a one off payment of £500 in December 2022 to all sponsors. You must have signed up for a 'thank you' payment to receive this.
Sponsors who have hosted for over six months can receive an extra £200 per month. This is paid for months 7 to 24.
The payments are back dated to when the guests first arrive, paid monthly in arrears.
Thank you payments will be continuing for months 13 – 24 of the scheme, further details will follow soon.
Use our form to apply for the payment.
Once all checks have been passed, including home, DBS and welfare checks, you will receive a 'remittance notice' from us and the payment.
You must tell us if your guest/s move out.