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Homes for Ukraine Scheme

We stand with the UK government and its international partners in condemning the Russian government for its unprovoked war against Ukraine.

Our thoughts and feelings of compassion are with the people of Ukraine, and their families and friends that live in Dorset.

Homes for Ukraine visa, Ukraine Family Visa, and Ukraine Extension visa schemes were created by the government to support Ukrainians escape the war and find sanctuary in the UK.

Homes for Ukraine is a government sponsorship scheme. It allows people and organisations in the UK to offer Ukrainians fleeing the war a home.

The scheme matches local hosts with refugees who are fleeing the war, even if they have no ties to the UK. We are extremely grateful to sponsors for their generosity and kindness in offering accommodation to Ukrainian families. A host family receives a monthly thank you payment for providing a home and support to their guests.

The Homes for Ukraine visa allows for an 18 month stay (3 years if their visa application was made prior to 19 February 2024).

The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme was launched on 4 February 2025, allowing an extension to any of the original schemes of 18 months. Ukrainians must apply for these 28 days before their existing visa is due to expire. Information on how to apply can be found on the government website.

Citizen’s Advice Dorset can provide support for the application if required.   

You are able to work and access public services.

Contact us with any questions about accommodation and support.

Information for new hosts and guests

You can use Google Translate to translate this page into Ukrainian or Russian.

Preparing to host

The government has published a guide for sponsors with detailed information. The guide:

  • helps to decide if hosting is right for you
  • explains what accommodation is suitable
  • explains the process and checks required to become a host

Visit the GOV.UK website to find out more.

Guest first days

Information about your first few days in Ukrainian.

This information covers:

  • what Ukrainian refugees need to know in their first few days
  • getting used to life in the UK and Dorset
  • how to find a home
  • access essential public services
  • healthcare
  • find work
  • childcare
  • education services

Find out more about available support.

 

‘Thank you’ payment

As a sponsor under the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme you can claim a monthly £350 ‘thank you’ payment. You will get this for the first 6 months whilst your guest stays with you.  

From month 7, we increase the 'thank you' payment to £500 per month. This is:

  • as an extra thank you for continuing to host
  • to assist with the impact and costs associated with hosting alongside the impact of the cost-of-living crisis

To receive this payment, we will need your bank details. We will send you a form to get this information once we have completed our initial checks. If you would like to claim the funding and have not had the form, email us: ukraineresponse@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Payments will be made in monthly arrears once your guest arrives. If you receive welfare payments, the ‘thank you’ payment will not affect your benefit entitlement. It will also not affect any council tax discounts for single occupancy. The 'thank you' payments are exempt from any tax implications.

If, for any reason, your guest moves out of your home you must inform us as soon as possible so we can stop the payments. You will need to return any overpayments. 

If your guests remain in the UK for over 18 months and move onto the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme then the thank you payments will reduce to £350 per month.

Webinars

Support webinars that you can watch:

Government guidance

Guidance: