myAccount maintenance

myAccount will be unavailable from 9am to approximately midday on Tuesday 2 June for essential maintenance. Information about our services can be found on our website in the meantime. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Financial support and services for arrivals from Ukraine

Setting up a bank account

We currently are finding that NatWest, Lloyds TSB, HSBC and Nationwide are offering the easiest routes to opening a bank account.

HSBC currently offer the simplest route for those who have arrived on a Travel document for internal travel within Ukraine, rather than a biometric passport.

Interim payment for guests

We will provide £200 per guest for subsistence costs when they first arrive. The £200 payment does not need to be repaid by the guest.

We will administer payments using a PayPoint CashOut Voucher. The vouchers will be issued by the officer undertaking the safeguarding checks and welfare visit and can be redeemed at any PayPoint facility. Please be aware vouchers expire after 5 days.

Working age guests will be able to apply to receive Universal Credit and will be able to apply for advance payments where eligible. Pension age guests will have access to State Pension Credit and Housing Benefit provided they meet eligibility criteria.

£50 Crisis Response support – British Red Cross (BRC)

As this scheme is only intended to provide an immediate stabilising fund for people arriving in the UK until they can access more stable arrangements, the scheme is only available for people within the first 14 days of arrival.

People can access this scheme by ringing the BRC National Support Line on 08081 963651 or 03003 321425 (Monday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm)

The scheme has a cap of 6 people per household. It is only available for Ukrainians entering the UK under the visa or sponsorship schemes, or have permitted entry and stamped passport from UK Border Force.

Individuals and families are only eligible for one payment through this scheme. This will be using a pre-payment card.

No assessment will be made in terms of finances. The enquirer will be asked to provide evidence of documentation through a secure email address which will be communicated directly from the operator, and consent would need to be obtained if someone is phoning on their behalf.