Benefits
Every Ukrainian refugee has a right to claim benefits in the UK.
There are three benefits that will be most relevant:
Universal Credit
Pension Credit
Child Benefit
Universal Credit and Pension Credit are means tested, i.e. income and savings / investments are assessed. Ukrainian property will be treated as having nil market value but savings and investments will be treated in the normal way. Adults not cohabiting should make separate claims.
There is more detailed information about all these benefits below. There might also be other benefits they can get too, such as disability and carers benefits. The benefits Ukrainians won’t be able to access are those based on payment of National Insurance such as State Retirement Pension and contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance. It's really important to get help with any benefit issues as soon as possible as in general there is 1 month to challenge any decision / payment. It is advisable for new claimants to check decision letters/Universal Credit statements and seek help if they don’t understand what the award entails.
Cleanslate also provides some support in finding employment, money skills and benefit claims. Referrals can be made via the Community Wellbeing Hub 0300 247 0050.
https://www.cleanslateltd.co.uk/finding-work.html
Citizen’s Advice can give detailed help and advice about benefits and how to claim them. There’s lots of information on their website:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Their local offices can give more tailored advice and help. They are in Bath and North East Somerset:
https://www.citizensadvicebanes.org.uk
and North Somerset
The Red Cross is also offering help (read on for more details).
Universal Credit
This is a means tested benefit available to anyone of working age (under 66) who is on a low income. You can claim while you are working or if you do not work.
You have to apply online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit
There is information about Universal Credit (UC) on the Citizen’s Advice website:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/
including information and advice about how to claim:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/applying-for-universal-credit/
You will need to create an account to make a claim. To apply online you’ll need:
your bank account details
an email address
access to a phone
One important thing to note is that you have to prove your identity when claiming. This is best done at the Job Centre at the first interview. As a result, when completing the online claim tick the box which says “I cannot do this online” when asked to verify identity. This will then trigger an appointment at the local Job Centre at which you will need take documents proving your identity.
Here are some examples of documents that you can use:
A Ukrainian International Passport with your entry stamp
A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) issued by the United Kingdom Border Agency
A full or provisional Ukraine photo driving licence
Any national identity card, except those issued under the UK ID Card Scheme
A residence permit, registration certificate or document certifying or indicating permanent residence issued by the Home Office or the United Kingdom Border Agency to a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland.
The general advice is, though, to take along any documents which might help with proving ID to the interview at the Job Centre.
You can get help with applications at your local Job Centre – find your local office at https://find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk/search.php
The Citizen’s Advice Help to Claim Service can also help (and they have access to interpreters):
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/helptoclaim/
Universal Credit is paid directly to a bank account, so ideally a claimant should have a bank account ready before they apply (indeed, the online application cannot be made without putting in the details of a bank or building society account). If they don’t, they can ask for the first payment to be made into the account of a friend or family member. If they’ve tried to open an account and the application was refused, they'll need to use the Payment Exception Service. They’ll need to explain why they can’t open a bank account. This can take some time though, so best to try to open a bank account! Information about this is on the gov.uk website:
https://www.gov.uk/payment-exception-service
There’s information about the first UC interview here:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/going-to-your-interview/
It usually takes 5-7 weeks for the first payment to be made. Once a claim has been made it has to be maintained online – the DWP will set a “claimant commitment” for each claimant (what they must do to find work etc, or not) – and will communicate actions they want completed, documents they need etc via the online UC account.
Pension Credit
This is a means tested benefit available to anyone of state pension age (66 or over at the moment). Claims should be made via the Helpline , Telephone: 0800 99 1234 or a form can be requested via the Helpline - this will be posted to the claimant who can then fill it in and send it back. Online applications can only be made by those who have already claimed their State Retirement Pension (so not by Ukrainian refugees). You can find information about how to here:
National Insurance Numbers (a NINO)
A claim for Universal Credit will automatically kick start a claim for a NINO. The situation with Pension Credit is less clear, but you don’t need a NINO to apply for Pension Credit, you just need to have made a claim for a NINO. You can claim a NINO online:
Child Benefit
This can be claimed if a guest has a child or children who are under 16 or aged 16 – 20 and in full time education or training. You get £21.80 a week for your first child and £14.45 a week for any children after that.
Usually there is a three-month qualifying residence period for child benefit. Anyone coming to the UK under the ‘Ukraine Family Support’ or ‘Homes for Ukraine’ schemes will have this waived and is entitled to claim Child Benefit immediately. You’ll need various documents, such as National Insurance Number, child’s birth certificate and passport. It doesn't need physical ID if job centre Universal Credit ID done, but you need to write on top of the form in red pen "homes for ukraine" You can find more information on how to claim here or call 0300 200 3100 (from inside the UK)."
It’s claimed by downloading the claim form, filling it in and sending it to HMRC:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-benefit-claim-form-ch2
More information here:
Free School Meals
These are available to those on a low income and getting certain benefits – including Universal Credit and if you have a household income of less than £7400pa.
Click here for more information and how to apply
Additional information including about other possible help with school costs can be found here
Other payments available
Red Cross
The British Red Cross is giving £50 financial support for the Ukrainian Guests, and in order to qualify, either the Sponsor or lead Ukrainian guest needs to contact the Red Cross by phone within 14 days of arrival.
Please direct your guests to the British Red Cross Support line number 0808 1963651 Option 3 open daily between 10-6pm; they have to make the phone call, not the sponsor. Following the first call, your guest will receive an email some days later asking for documentation
They will be required to show passport evidence, visa stamp and a photo for the lead applicant to claim £50 per person up to maximum family of 6.
They will receive a preloaded card to a home address by mail within 24-48 hours of the required documentation having been submitted.
Other sources of help
Those that are finding benefits, work and money not immediately forthcoming can contact davebiddleston@hotmail.co.uk to receive a referal to the Keynsham Food Bank.
The Local authority can also offer welfare support: