A £200 Ukraine support bridging scheme has been launched by East Staffordshire Borough Council to provide Guests with a cash payment to enable them to buy essential goods until they can access benefits, such as Universal Credit, for longer term stays.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched by the Government on 14th March 2022. It is open to Ukrainian nationals who were residents in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022 and also their immediate family member (Guests).
Under the scheme, UK individuals can put themselves forward to house Guests and are required to undergo various DBS and Safeguarding checks to ensure both they and their property are suitable before being matched with Guests.
Sponsors which meet all checks are offered a monthly ‘thank you’ payment of £350 for as long as the Guest is resident at their property or for at least twelve months (whichever is the longest). Guests arriving in suitable approved accommodation are entitled to a cash payment of £200 (each) to enable them to buy essential goods until they can access benefits for longer term stays.
Staffordshire County Council is responsible for administering the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme across Staffordshire, with East Staffordshire Borough Council responsible for completing checks on the accommodation and issuing payments to Sponsors and Guests within the borough.
Under East Staffordshire Borough Council’s Ukraine support bridging scheme, ESBC officers will complete pre-arrival accommodation checks to ensure there are no issues or concerns, confirm the Guest has arrived in the UK and will verify that they have been given a visa under the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme and their ID has been checked.
Councillor Bernard Peters, Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, said: “The Council’s Ukraine support bridging scheme will ensure Guests receive their £200 cash payment promptly whilst safeguarding and DBS checks are undertaken. This will mean Guests - who need urgent support - will receive their money sooner, rather than having to wait for financial support due to circumstances beyond their control.”