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Essex County Council agrees to increase monthly payments after 6 months as well as offering one-off additional £500 in December, recognising ongoing hospitality of residents.
In recognition of the continued generosity shown by Essex residents under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, Essex County Council (ECC) is increasing the financial support available to sponsors.
Homes for Ukraine scheme
The Government scheme originally launched back in March and there are now more than 1,900 Ukrainian arrivals staying with over 650 families across Essex.
Sponsors are already entitled to payments of £350 per month from the Government as a “thank you” and to help with increased costs.
ECC has now agreed to add a discretionary £200 a month increase for Homes for Ukraine sponsors, during months 7 to 12 of their guests’ stay.
This means sponsors will receive £550 each month for months 7 to 12 while their guests are staying with them. Where hosting arrangements continue, payments will be backdated for sponsors whose guests have already been in Essex longer than 6 months.
Payment adjustments
There is no need for sponsors who are currently receiving payment to contact ECC, but we ask them to bear with us as we make the necessary payment adjustments. The new payments will be received as soon as possible.
In addition, ECC has also agreed to make a one-off payment of £500 this December to every Homes for Ukraine sponsor who has guests with them for at least part of the month.
The increase in payments recognises costs for sponsors will have risen in recent months due to the rise in prices caused by inflation and increases in energy bills.
Keen to reward residents
Councillor Louise McKinlay, ECC Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community, Equality, Partnerships and Performance said:
The response from Essex residents to the Homes for Ukraine scheme has been incredibly positive, with so many of them opening up their homes to Ukrainian arrivals.
We are keen to reward residents for their ongoing generosity, while also recognising that many sponsors will be facing additional pressure on their finances and may be worried about the rising cost of living.
These additional payments will hopefully give sponsors some peace of mind and certainty as we head into what we know will be a difficult winter period.
We are continuing to work with our partners across local and national Government as well as in the voluntary sector to ensure Ukrainian arrivals receive all the support they need, both as soon as they arrive and for as long as they live in Essex.
Find out how to apply
Sponsors who are not currently receiving the optional ‘thank you’ payments can find out more about how to apply on the Essex County Council website – Information for sponsors.
The increase in financial support will be funded by the Government Homes for Ukraine funding.
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