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Benefits for Ukrainians in the UK

  1. Universal Credit
  2. Disability benefits
  3. Financial help for housing (housing element)
  4. Financial help for families
  5. Maternity grants

1. What Universal Credit is

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly - or twice a month. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work. Read more about it and apply.

Once you have been registered and in receipt of Universal Credit payments – you must remember to keep your appointments with the Job Centre advisor and update your online Universal Credit Journal especially if your circumstances change.

Opora webinar on benefits in the UK.

2. Disability benefits

If you have a health condition that affects your ability to work you might get extra money in addition to your basic Universal Credit.

 Інвалідність у Великобританії

3. Housing Element of the Universal Credit

Housing element payments can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming Universal Credit. To receive this payment in addition to your Universal Credit payments – you need to apply at your Job Centre. Upload your rental contract and request your Housing Element payment to start.

To calculate how many bedrooms you are eligible for and how much money you could be eligible for - you can use this calculator.

4. Financial help if you have children

Financial help if you have children

Benefits and financial support for families

Healthy Start

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, the Healthy Start scheme can help you:

  • buy healthy foods like milk or fruit
  • get free vitamins

You need to be claiming certain benefits to qualify.

If you’re pregnant and under 18 you can claim even if you do not receive any benefits.

For more information or to apply, visit the NHS Healthy Start.

5. Sure Start Maternity Grant

You could get a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child. This is known as a Sure Start Maternity Grant.

You usually qualify for the grant if both of the following apply:

  • you’re expecting your first child, or you’re expecting a multiple birth (such as twins) and have children already
  • you or your partner already get certain benefits

You must claim the grant within 11 weeks of the baby’s due date or within 6 months after the baby’s birth.

You do not have to pay the grant back and it will not affect your other benefits or tax credits.

Sure Start Maternity Grant

Calculators

For information on income-related benefits, contribution-based benefits, Universal Credit, tax credits, Council Tax Reduction and Carer’s Allowance use: