Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme: Key Information for Sponsors
Information for sponsors
When a guest applies for the UPE scheme while still living with a sponsor, the sponsor must submit a new claim for thank you payments.
An officer from the Homes for Ukraine team in Hounslow will arrange to visit sponsors and their guests to support them through this process.
On receipt of the claim, we will continue to make thank you payments provided that the:
- Accommodation meets minimum statutory housing standards (as per the Housing Act 2004)
- Guest is not paying rent to the sponsor or host
- Guest is not working for the sponsor or host in exchange for accommodation
- Confirmation that the guest has applied onto the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (confirmation of application onto the UPE scheme will be required).
- UPE visa is granted within six months of the HfU visa's end date or a UPE application is in progress. This means payments will continue up to six months whilst a decision is pending.
- Guest's previous visa was under the Homes for Ukraine scheme
- Guest and host are not in a close family relationship. For more information, please click on the following link: Paying Sponsors: Homes for Ukraine Scheme (GOV.UK)
Once the guest receives a decision on their UPE application, a notification should be sent to the Homes for Ukraine team at Hounslow to verify the application decision on asylumandrefugees@hounslow.gov.uk . Once this has been completed, payments will transition to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme for 18 months from the date of the decision.
Arrangements will continue as on the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
