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Homes for Ukraine – Information for Ukrainian guests

Support and guidance and what to expect when you arrive in Somerset

Welcome

In Somerset, we welcome you in seeking a safe home in our communities. We understand moving to a new country can be challenging. This guide will help you settle in Somerset and access the support you need.

Ukrainian

У Сомерсеті ми вітаємо вас у пошуку безпечного дому в наших громадах. Ми розуміємо, що переїзд до нової країни може бути складним. Цей посібник допоможе вам облаштуватися в Сомерсеті та отримати необхідну підтримку.

Russian

В Сомерсете мы рады вам найти безопасный дом в наших сообществах. Мы понимаем, что переезд в новую страну может быть непростым. Этот гид поможет вам обустроиться в Сомерсете и получить необходимую поддержку

Applying for Homes for Ukraine

You can apply for a visa under the Homes for Ukraine scheme using GOV.UK – Apply for a visa under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.

Your Homes for Ukraine visa is valid for up to 18 months. You may later apply for the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) for an additional 18 months. Find out more on GOV.UK – Applying to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme

To apply to the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme you must be Ukrainian, or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national who has been granted permission under, or is applying and qualifies under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.

You must also:

  • have been living in Ukraine on or immediately before 1 January 2022 (including those who have now left Ukraine), unless you are a child born after that date
  • be outside of the UK
  • have an eligible UK-based sponsor 

information

Somerset Council cannot directly find sponsors or carry out the matching process. Our role is to support Ukrainians who have already arrived in Somerset and their hosts.

If you have any questions about your visa, please contact UK Visas and Immigration for help .

Support after your arrival

You will be given a welcome pack full of information and will be visited by local services to make sure that you are getting the care and support that you need.

The welcome guide includes information on what you need to know in the first few days, getting used to life in the UK including how to find a home, access essential public services, healthcare, find work and childcare and education services. It also includes specific information for those arriving on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Rights an support in the UK

Moving to a new country can feel overwhelming, but you have important rights and access to support while living in the UK:

  • Healthcare – You are entitled to full and free access to the NHS.
  • Work Rights – Your visa allows you to work immediately with full employment rights. Learn more about your rights  – Права працівників Workers’ rights – Ukrainian – GLAA
  • Financial Support – You can apply for benefits such as Universal Credit and Child Benefit.
  • Protection and Safety – Dial 999 for emergencies

You will be contacted after your arrival and invited to a welfare check. This check will take place in a community setting by Thrive Somerset. The subsistence payment of £200 will be paid at this welfare check or soon after.

Health and wellbeing

Translated health guides

Registering with a doctor

All Ukrainian arrivals are entitled to full and free access to the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS is highlighting the importance of children and young people registering with a General Practitioner (GP), so they can access treatment, vaccinations, and mental health support.

To help you register with GPs, the NHS have developed bilingual registration forms. Proof of address or other forms of identification are not required when registering.

You can also find out how to register with a doctor on the NHS website.

Mental Health

Getting your children into school or college

Schools and admissions authorities have a set of admission arrangements and an admissions code that must by law be followed. The in-year school admissions process outlined on the Somerset Council website must be followed.

Applications must be signed by family members with parental responsibility and admissions authorities will not be able to accept applications signed by the sponsor. There will be some instances when the local school or schools are full. In these situations, the local authority can provide information on alternative places within statutory walking distance. You can email enquiries to schooladmissions@somerset.gov.uk.

Statutory walking distances are 2 miles up until the age of 8, and 3 miles for aged 8 and over. Where it is not possible to offer a place within statutory walking distance transport will be provided to the nearest school with an available place.

Financial support and banking

Upon arrival, you may be eligible to receive a cash payment of £200 per guest, to support with immediate needs. This will be paid following a welfare check.

Bank accounts

You will need to open a UK bank account when you arrive. All major banks will apply flexibility for proof of address and other supporting documentation requirements when opening an account. The following banks have set up dedicated pages to support Ukrainian nationals:

Further information on the types of accounts available can be found at MoneyHelper – Banking. The Home Office’s Welcome! A guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK also provides information on accounts that be suitable.

Working in the UK

You will be eligible to work in the UK on your visa. It is important that you know your rights and entitlements if you do work. Find out more on this Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority Workers’ Rights Leaflet – Права працівників (Ukrainian version)

Ukrainians Welcome – Your safe stay in the UK contains resources for Ukrainian nationals displaced to the UK, with the aim of keeping Ukrainian refugees safe from trafficking and helping them to safely navigate life in the UK.

The Just Good Work App is a free interactive mobile app. It gives jobseekers and workers information and advice for everything needed on the journey to work and life in a new destination, to moving on or returning home.

Other helpful links

National Insurance

A National Insurance (NI) number is used to make sure your National Insurance contributions and tax are recorded against your name only. This is made up of letters and numbers and never changes.

You can look for and start work without a National Insurance number if you can prove you have the right to work in the UK. You can prove you have the right to work in the UK by showing your employer your e-visa. If you do not have a National Insurance number, you can find further information on how to apply for a National Insurance number. You will be advised of the documents you will need to provide when making your application.

Welfare and benefits

Child Benefit

Anyone coming to the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme or Homes for Ukraine scheme is entitled to claim Child Benefit immediately.

You get Child Benefit if you are responsible for bringing up a child who is:

  • under 16
  • under 20 if they stay in approved education or training

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It is paid monthly. You can also phone Universal Credit on 0800 328 5644 (for enquiries, or if you have no access to the internet)

Impact on Universal Credit payments for guests leaving the UK

You will need to notify the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) if you leave the country, regardless of the length of time you are away. In addition, email the Homes for Ukraine Team if you will be out of the country for more than 4 weeks.

important

If you do not notify the DWP you have left the country and fail to attend a Jobcentre Plus appointment while abroad, your Universal Credit may be sanctioned.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:

  • a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
  • difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition

You can get PIP even if you are working, have savings or are getting most other benefits. You can also phone Personal Independence Payments on 0800 917 2222.

Carers Allowance

You could get £67.60 a week for if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You can find out more about  Carers Allowance and apply for Carers Allowance on GOV.UK.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit  gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you are over State Pension age and on a low income. You can apply for Pension Credit on GOV.UK or you can phone Pension Credit on 0800 99 1234.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:

  • is under 16
  • has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability

You can apply for Disability Living Allowance on GOV.UK or phone Disability Living Allowance on 0800 121 4600.

Phone providers

  • The Mobile Phone provider, Three, has rolled out a support package for Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK. You will be able to get a free, 30-day, pay as you go SIM card with unlimited UK calls and texts, and free calls and texts from the UK to Ukraine
  • Vodafone is offering free SIMs for 6 months. These can only be accessed by charities supporting people (not limited to Ukrainians)
  • Virgin Media O2 offers support to those affected by events in Ukraine. They have also removed data charges for data use in Ukraine, and will credit charges for calls and texts to and from Ukraine and the UK for their customers

Good Things Foundation National Databank provides free sims and mobile data (as well as talk minutes and texts) to people in need, using the Good Things Foundation’s network of local community partners. It is like a ‘food bank’ but for internet connectivity data. Community organisations can apply to access the databank to provide data to people in their communities who need it.

Travel guidance

Finding your own accommodation

If you need housing advice or at risk of being homeless, please complete a homelessness referral form.

Further information can be found on our Homelessness referral and assessment page.

Housing Emergency

If you have an immediate homelessness situation and you have nowhere safe to sleep tonight, phone us urgently on 0300 123 2224.

If phoning after 5pm, on a weekend or on a bank holiday, phone the out of hours service on 0300 123 2327.

You can also email srht@somerset.gov.uk for advice and guidance.

Local information, advice and guidance

Welcome to All

Somerset Council and Thrive are proud to offer the Welcome to All programme, a two-year project with Voluntary and Community organisations to welcome Displaced People living in Somerset. This includes the delivery of in person Welcome Hubs across Somerset, and Mental Health and Wellbeing support. Further information can be found on the welcome to all – Thrive website.

Taunton Guides created by Homes for Ukraine – Somerset (Facebook group), Laura Hogevold and Yuliya Wallis

National information and guidance

Last updated: January 7, 2026

Next review due: July 7, 2026

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