'Thank you' payment for the lead sponsor
Sponsors/hosts of Ukrainian guests on a Homes for Ukraine visa are eligible for a monthly payment from the UK government as a thank you for hosting.
Thank you payments to sponsors/hosts will only be issued where the guest and sponsor/host are not in a close family relationship. Guests who are already in the UK and move in with a close family member are classified as having left the Homes for Ukraine scheme rather than a rematch.
The definition of a close family member includes:
- a spouse, or civil or unmarried partner
- a parent
- a parent-in-law
- a son or daughter
- a son- or daughter-in-law
- a stepson or daughter
- a sibling
- a grandparent; or
- the spouse, or civil or unmarried partner of any of these people
For unaccompanied minors, this also includes an aunt or uncle of the child.
Councils should determine whether a close family relationship exists between a sponsor/host and guest before issuing thank you payments.
Councils have discretion over what information they use to determine this.
Until 1 April 2025, sponsors/hosts are eligible to receive thank you payments of £350 a month per household during the first 12 months of a guest’s arrival in the UK, this increases to £500 a month once guests have been in the UK for 12 months.
After 1 April 2025, sponsors/hosts will be eligible to receive £350 a month per household, irrespective of how long guests have been in the UK.
If a guest is in a sponsorship arrangement when granted permission under the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, their sponsor/host will be asked to reapply for thank you payments if they wish to continue to receive a monthly payment. Eligible sponsors/hosts of those previously on Homes for Ukraine visas will be able to claim thank you payments of £350 a month, for the 18 months that guests are covered by a UPE scheme visa. See further guidance on the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme.
The payments will be tax free and should not affect the sponsor’s entitlement to benefits or council tax status.
Homes for Ukraine: Ukraine Permission Extension scheme - guidance for sponsors (GOV.UK) - Guidance for sponsors of guests who hold (or previously held) Homes for Ukraine permission and have applied, or will be applying, for permission under the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme.