The UK Government has confirmed that ‘Thank You’ payments to Homes for Ukraine hosts will be extended once Ukrainian guests have obtained their UPE (Ukrainian Extension Permission visa) if hosting arrangement carries on. The Thank You payments to hosts will be paid for the duration of the 18 months of this new visa.

• Please be aware that from 1st April ’25, all ‘Thank You’ payments will be paid at £350 a month to hosts (however  the April payment will not be affected by this reduction, but the following payments will be at this reduced rate for all hosts)
• Hosts who are related to their guests and currently in receipt of ‘Thank You’ payments will no longer be eligible for those when their guest moves on to the UPE visa
• Should the UK Government decide to extend the 18 months UPE visa to a further 18 months, there will be no further ‘Thank You’ payments to hosts, so guests and hosts should work towards independent living or alternate arrangements together

Please note that if you are hosting a Ukrainian guest, you will need to reapply for thank you payments when your Ukrainian guest obtains their UPE visa. Please contact your local authority to re-apply, and do not hesitate to email East Sussex County Council with your concerns, suggestions, or for support with these changes by email at [email protected] by 10th January ’25.

For further information and support for hosts and Ukrainians in East Sussex, regarding hosting arrangements, Thank you payments, information on renting in the UK and support with finding your own place to live, employment and more in East Sussex, please contact us on [email protected]