Information for Ukrainians arriving in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland welcomes people from Ukraine and we're thankful that you have arrived here safely. To help you adapt to life here make sure that you know how to get the support available to you, including housing, employment and access to education.
What to expect
The website can be translated into the language of your choice by using the blue square at the bottom of each page.
If you arrive in Northern Ireland through either the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, the Ukraine Family Scheme (which closed at 3.00 pm on 19 February 2024 ) or you are staying in Northern Ireland under the Ukraine Extension 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 by applying at Ukrainian Cash Support Scheme
- stay in the UK for three years with the option to extend your stay by 18 months under the new Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) Scheme
- the right to work in the UK
- the right to access services including education, health services and legal advice
If you have applied to the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme after 3.00 pm on 19 February 2024 and your application is successful, you can stay in the UK for up to 18 months.
You also have the right to claim state benefits including child benefit, housing benefit, Universal Credit, and state pension benefit.
You may also be eligible to apply for help from Discretionary Support or a Universal Credit Contingency Fund payment to get help towards short-term living expenses and household items until you receive your first benefit.
More details on eligibility and how to apply can be found at the following link:
You should not be asked by your host to pay any extra rent or make any extra financial contribution to the household. But, you may want to agree some house rules. For example, making a reasonable and proportionate contribution to household expenses, like utilities used or supplied to the accommodation or to any shared facilities, that works for both of you.
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE)
If you have been given permission to be in the UK under one of the two Ukraine Schemes (Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme or Ukraine Extension Scheme), you may be able to apply for a further 18 months permission to stay in the UK under the new Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (UPE).
Applications will open online from 9.00 am (UK time) on 4 February 2025. It is not an automatic extension of your current permission.
You should only make an application to the UPE scheme when your permission has 28 days or less left until it expires.
You must make an application before your current permission expires.
If you apply after your current permission expires, even if your application for UPE is successful later, you will lose your current entitlements to work, rent and receive benefits until a decision is made on your late application.
You may be required to repay any public funds (for example, certain benefits) that are paid to you during this period.
It is important that you know the date when your current permission will end so that you apply to UPE in time.
If you are unsure when your current permission ends, sign into your UKVI account to find out.
Find out more at GOV.UK:
Ukraine assistance centres
The walk-in Ukraine assistance centres are no longer running. See below information on how to get support.
Housing
Finding other accommodation
Your living arrangements six months after moving to the UK.
You should talk to your host about your future plans four months after your arrival in the UK. This will give you plenty of time to decide and prepare for your next steps.
More information about your accommodation choices can be found below, or you can contact the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) Ukrainian Resettlement Team on:
- phone: 03448 920900
- email: HomesforUkraine@nihe.gov.uk
An advisor will take your contact details and arrange for a housing advisor to contact you. Interpreting support will be given if needed.
You can also go to the NIHE Housing Clinic for Ukrainians which takes place every Tuesday from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm at:
NIHEThe Housing Centre
1-11 May Street
Belfast
BT1 4NA
Emergency accommodation
If there is an immediate need to secure other accommodation urgently (if you decide you can no longer live with your sponsor or your sponsor asks you to leave) you can call the NIHE emergency number on:
- phone: 03448 920 900 (Monday to Friday during office hours)
- phone: 03448 920 908 (after 5.00 pm Monday to Friday or at the weekends)
If your sponsorship arrangement ends before six months
If for any reason either you or your host does not want to continue with the sponsorship arrangement for the full six months, there are other accommodation choices available - and you can get help with this.
If your sponsorship ends or is at risk of ending, you should contact the NIHE Ukrainian Resettlement Team:
- email: homesforukraine@nihe.gov.uk
Finding a new host/rematching
A process to ‘rematch’ Ukrainian people with a new host has been put in place where the initial arrangement cannot be sustained.
It may be possible to ‘rematch’ you with a new sponsor who has offered accommodation through the Homes for Ukraine scheme but who has not yet had a Ukrainian guest placed with them.
Before a rematch is made, the new sponsor’s home will be assessed to make sure it is suitable.
After you have moved into the new accommodation, a home visit will be made by either Extern or Barnardos to check that you are satisfied with the new placement.
Support will be given to try and find accommodation that meets the needs of your family, and a rematch will only be arranged with your full agreement.
If you would like to find another sponsorship arrangement you can attend the NIHE Housing Clinic for Ukrainians or email the NIHE Ukrainian Resettlement Team:
- email: homesforukraine@nihe.gov.uk
Staying with your host after six months
Your host may be happy for you to stay with them for another six months. Where this is the case, this is likely to be the best choice for you until you are ready to move on.
Not every host can continue to offer accommodation after six months. Where that is the case, you should make a plan with your host about how you move on.
Moving to another area of the UK outside Northern Ireland
If you want to move to another area of the UK, you should contact Homes for Ukraine by email so they can make any necessary checks and can confirm your new living arrangements are suitable.
- email: homesforukraine@nihe.gov.uk
Community groups, local charities and local councils in England, Scotland and Wales have dedicated websites to give you more information about an area before you decide to move.
You can search for the different council areas outside of Northern Ireland at the following link:
If you have a child aged between four and 16 it is important to consider the availability of school places in the area that you are thinking of moving to.
Renting private accommodation
If you are considering renting your own accommodation you can contact the NIHE Ukrainian Resettlement Team for advice and help particularly about accessing and financing private rented sector accommodation. You can go to the NIHE Housing Clinic for Ukrainians or contact the team by email:
• email: homesforukraine@nihe.gov.uk
It is important that you know what your rights and responsibilities are if you do become a tenant. Find out more about renting at the following links:
This information will help you when you are ready and able to move out of your host’s accommodation.
You may get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, which could help with the cost of rent.
The Make the Call Team can offer you some advice on this.
Calls to Make the Call are free or you can email them:
- freephone: 0800 232 1271 or for a call back text ADVICE to 079 8440 5248
- email: makethecall@dfcni.gov.uk
Information is also available on renting in England, Scotland and Wales
Social housing
You may want to join the waiting list for social housing. This is rented accommodation provided by the NIHE or through registered Housing Associations at affordable rent levels. These are typically lower than average private market rents.
There is, however, a very large demand for social housing with over 40,000 people on the waiting list.
You can contact NIHE Housing Solutions Support on:
- phone: 03448 920900
An advisor will take your contact details and arrange for a housing advisor to contact you. Interpreting support will be given if needed.
Banking and National Insurance Number
Information about opening a bank account, access to local currency and getting a National Insurance Number for those arriving in Northern Ireland from Ukraine.
Applying for benefits
Information about applying for welfare benefits in Northern Ireland for those arriving from Ukraine. It includes the types of benefits available and how to apply.
Employment
Information about employment for those arriving in Northern Ireland from Ukraine and how to get a professional qualification recognised in the UK.
Healthcare
Information on health and social care services for those arriving in Northern Ireland from Ukraine.
Education and childcare
Every child aged between four and 16 is entitled to a school place. Children who have arrived in Northern Ireland from Ukraine have the same right to schooling as any other child.
English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
Improving your English can help you get more out of your life in the UK. It will also help if you want to study, improve your CV, or apply to become a British citizen.
Immigration advice
Information on immigration can be found at:
Emotional and Practical support
There are many local charities, community organisations and faith-based organisations that are giving practical support.
The Trussell Trust will be able to help by giving you basic essential items or food if there are delays with accessing financial support.
You can search for your local food bank at the following link:
British Red Cross
Having been through such a traumatic experience, you may feel you need emotional support.
You can call the British Red Cross support line. It offers help in more than 200 languages.
It helps people who have experienced crisis, need information about support available, feel are lonely, worried and are finding it hard to get the help they need in the UK.
You can phone the British Red Cross national support line on:
- phone: 0344 871 11 11 (10.00 am to 12.00 pm Monday to Friday)
Choose 'one' for advice about refugee support - Restoring family links.
Your call will be charged at the standard rate to 03 numbers in the UK.
Let them know if an interpreter is needed.
Barnardo’s
Barnardo's has set up the Ukrainian Support Helpline to offer a holistic support. They also have a wrap-around service for Ukrainian people who are struggling to settle in Northern Ireland.
The support is flexible and can help with a range of issues. It will be offered by a support worker from the Ukrainian Refugee Service.
Examples may include:
- helping with dentist registration
- accessing community supports and college
- support to access food if you are struggling financially
- support when moving to a new home such as sourcing furniture and household goods
- changing addresses with relevant bodies
A helpline is available to anyone fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.
- phone: 0800 148 8586
There are many local charities, community organisations and faith-based organisations that are giving practical support.
The Trussell Trust will be able to help by giving you basic essential items or food if there are delays with accessing financial support.
You can search for your local food bank at the following link:
Institution of Translation and Interpreting
The Institution of Translation and Interpreting has developed translation resources to support those affected by the war in Ukraine. Further information is available at:
Recognition of qualifications
The EU Commission has set out proposals on how those leaving Ukraine can have their professional qualifications recognised quickly to speed up gaining employment. Further information is available at:
More information
You can learn what to expect when you arrive in Northern Ireland 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
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Privacy notice - Support arrangements for Ukrainian Citizens travelling to Northern Ireland