Information for Ukrainians arriving in Northern Ireland

What to expect

A welcome information pack is available at:

• Information for Ukrainians arriving in Northern Ireland 

The key information within this document is also available on this website. 

The website can be translated into the language of your choice by using the orange bar at the top of this page.

If you arrive in Northern Ireland through either the Homes for Ukrainians Scheme or through the Ukraine Family Scheme you are entitled to:

• £200 financial gift per person in your party (including children) from the government to help with your basic needs - you can receive your £200 at any of the Ukraine Assistance Centres
• stay in the UK for three years
• the right to work in the UK
• the right to claim state benefits including child benefit, housing benefit, Universal Credit, and state pension benefit
• the right to access services including education, health services and legal advice

You should not be asked by your host to pay any additional rent or make any additional financial contribution to the household (including the £200 you received).

Ukraine assistance centres

If you have arrived in Northern Ireland from Ukraine, under either the Family Scheme or Homes for Ukraine Scheme, you should go to an assistance centre. These centres are in Ballymena, Belfast, Craigavon and Newry.

Further information is available at this link: 

• Ukraine assistance centres 

Practical support

There are many local charities, community organisations and faith-based organisations that are providing practical support.

The Trussell Trust will be able to help by providing you with basic essential items or food if there are delays with accessing financial support.

You can search for your local foodbank at this link:

• Find a foodbank

Emotional support

Having been through such a traumatic experience, you may feel you need emotional support.

British Red Cross

You can call the British Red Cross support line, which provides help in more than 200 languages.

It helps people who are lonely, worried and finding it hard to get the help they need in the UK. 

You can phone the British Red Cross free and confidentially on 0808 196 3651 (open daily 10.00 am to 6.00 pm) and you can ask for an interpreter if you need one.

For support outside of these hours, 24-hour emergency help is also available. 

Barnardo’s

Barnardo's has set up the Ukrainian Support Helpline to provide a holistic support.

The helpline is available to anyone fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

For more information:

• phone 0800 148 8586
• online: Barnardo's Ukrainian Support Helpline

Further information

You can learn what to expect when you arrive on the following pages:

• Arrival and transport to your accommodation
• Travelling to Northern Ireland from Ukraine with pets
• Homes for Ukraine scheme: accommodation and emergency accommodation
• Homes for Ukraine scheme: visas and biometrics
• Help and support for victims of human trafficking and slavery
• Dealing with emergency situations

You can also find out how to access healthcare, employment, benefits and education.

• Accessing services – banking and National Insurance number
• Accessing services - applying for benefits
• Accessing Services – employment
• Accessing Services – health care
• Accessing services - education and childcare
• English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)

Useful links

• Coping with trauma - adults (Ukrainian)
• Coping with trauma - children (Ukrainian)
• Coping with a personal crisis (Ukrainian)
• Coping with trauma - adults (Russian)
• Coping with trauma - children (Russian)
• Coping with a personal crisis (Russian)