We have FAQs to help to provide information on how we can welcome and support those fleeing from Ukraine. These reflect information provided by the UK or Scottish Government. There are a few different routes that Ukraine arrivals fleeing their homes can use to travel to the UK. This may be through
- the Homes for Ukraine Scheme
- the Scottish Super Sponsor scheme
- the Ukraine Family Scheme
More information on each of these schemes are below.
Homes for Ukraine and Super Sponsorship schemes
Please visit our Homes for Ukraine page for more information.
Back To TopPlease visit our Super Sponsorship page for more information.
Back To TopA sponsor can be anyone in the UK (of any nationality and any immigration status, providing they have at least 6 months leave to remain in the UK) with a spare room, or separate, unoccupied self-contained accommodation.
Back To TopAny Ukrainian national or the immediate family member of a Ukrainian national, who was resident in Ukraine prior to 1 January 2022 is eligible. Those arriving under this scheme will be able to live and work in the UK for up to 3 years and access healthcare, benefits, employment support, education, and English language tuition.
Back To TopYou can record your interest via the UK Government portal.
Back To TopUnder the Homes for Ukraine scheme people from Ukraine need to already be matched with a host or “sponsor” in the UK before they can travel here. Under the Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme, which is also known as the ‘Warm Scots Welcome’ Programme, the Scottish Government act as the “sponsor” meaning that anyone from Ukraine can come to Scotland.
Ukrainians will still apply using the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine portal but instead of using a named British citizen as their sponsor they can select ‘The Scottish Government’ when asked for the name of their sponsor. When they are provided with a visa, they can then travel onto the UK, and they will be assisted through a Welcome Hub until they are matched with a sponsor.
More information on the Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme can be found here
- You and anyone aged 16 and over in your household, must agree to an enhanced Disclosure Scotland check, including an ID check
- You must agree to a home visit, which will be carried out by Fife Council, to assess the suitability of the accommodation offered
- You must check with your mortgage lender that you can use your property as a sponsor or, if you are renting you need the agreement of your landlord
- You must notify your home insurance provider
- You need to be able to provide suitable accommodation for a minimum of 6 months
- You should try to support and help your guests to adapt to life in Scotland
- Sponsors should help direct their guests to public services, for example, registering with a GP or NHS dentist
All sponsors (Homes for Ukraine and Scottish Super Sponsor scheme) are expected to make sure that, on arrival, their guests have enough food and supplies such as toiletries. They should check to make sure they have access to a mobile phone and internet to stay in touch with family members.
They should help them settle into the local area, and make sure they know how to access any public services, such as GPs, dentists and schools.
If you are not part of the Scottish Super Sponsor scheme you should try to stay in contact with your guests before they arrive. You are responsible for helping to organise and co-ordinate their arrival in the UK. You should arrange to meet them on arrival and help with any transfer to accommodation.
Ukrainians arriving in the country as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme are eligible for a single onward journey via national rail, bus, light rail, and coach. This will be free of charge to anywhere in England, Scotland and Wales. Further information is available at - https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ukraine.
Back To TopFirstly, you can record your interest via the UK Government portal. The UK Government has stated that charities, businesses and faith and community groups will have a big role to play in connecting people from Ukraine with those who wish to sponsor, along with welcoming refugees feeling the conflict.
In future phases, the UK and Scottish Governments will help organisations to allow them to sponsor individuals directly, but at the current phase only named contacts can be Sponsors.
No – if anyone asks you to pay a fee it will likely be a scam and should be reported.
Back To TopWe will be in touch with you directly to organise a home visit if you have applied to be a sponsor through Homes for Ukraine or the Scottish Super Sponsor scheme. We are currently prioritising visits to those households where the Ukrainian guests have already arrived or will be arriving soon.
We need to check that the accommodation you are offering is safe and that everything is in place for the arrival of your guests. Please see this list to see the type of things that could be checked in the house. We will be in touch beforehand to arrange the visit.
Back To TopThe requirements on security checks will not apply to unaccompanied children and protected adults arriving from Ukraine. Separate arrangements for their care are being urgently considered, and further guidance is expected soon. Unaccompanied children will not be placed with sponsors through the Homes for Ukraine or Super Sponsorship schemes.
Back To TopIf you have a spare room or other space you can offer, then think about how your day-to-day life will work. Just as when you take in a lodger, you will want to think about how to offer everyone privacy and maybe set out some “house rules”. For example, can they help themselves to food? Will you all eat dinner together? What about washing clothes and changing sheets? How can you ensure they get enough privacy?
For some tips and advice on getting your home ready, check out these downloadable guides from the No Accommodation Network:
Council tax discounts, for example for single occupancy, will not be affected if you are a sponsor. If a property is used exclusively as the sole or main residence of Ukrainian people under the scheme, then it is exempt from Council Tax. Apply using a form on the Council Tax Discounts and Exemptions page.
These exemptions only apply under the Homes for Ukraine/Super Sponsor scheme.
No. You should not charge any rent to Ukrainian guests staying with you.
Back To TopThe UK Government is providing an optional ‘Thank You’ payment of £350 per month to people who have opened their homes to a household from Ukraine (subject to the accommodation they have).
The ‘Thank You’ payment will be administered by Fife Council and be limited to one payment per residential address, regardless of how many people you sponsor. You will continue to receive payments for as long as you sponsor somebody, for up to 12 months. This payment will be made in arrears. Details of how the £350 payment will be distributed have yet to be confirmed.
This payment is only applicable after all our checks have been completed.
Fill in our online form to let us know your guests have arrived or are on their way.
Back To TopOnly those who arrive through Homes for Ukraine (and eventually Super Sponsor) are entitled to immediate financial assistance from a Local Authority. We will issue this payment to your Homes for Ukraine guest(s) once they have arrived, and we have confirmed the information.
Additional advice and assistance will be provided to hosts and guests, but the following information will be of use:
- Registering for Universal Credit should be done as soon possible following arrival in the UK
- Claims can be started by visiting the nearest JobCentre Plus, locations can be found here
- Claims can also be started online here
- If you need help with a Universal Credit claim, call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 13, and you’ll get free support from trained advisers
- A Help to Claim service is also provided by Citizens Advice
- As well as UK Government benefits, families may be entitled to wider benefits available through Social Security Scotland. For more information on the range of benefits available visit here
- To speak with an advisor about Social Security Scotland benefits, call their helpline 0800 182 2222 – interpretation services are available. Translated factsheets can also be found here
- Free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice is also available to anyone through Citizen Advice, click here for more information
- For further information and advice about immigration status, please refer to our ‘National source of advice’ & other advice providers in the ‘Other help’ sections
As a sponsor, you are only expected to provide accommodation. However, there is nothing stopping you from offering meals and they may be welcomed. You aren’t expected to cover the costs of food and living expenses, but you might want to, especially in the early weeks while your guests are settling in. You should not expect them to carry out any unpaid work.
Back To TopSupport from the council for Ukrainian arrivals
We will carry out the Enhanced Disclosure process and property checks to ensure guests are in a suitable and safe home.
When your guest arrives, our Resettlement Team will provide advice and assistance to help your guest settle. We will provide immediate financial assistance and will keep in touch throughout the sponsoring period to make sure the arrangements are continuing well.
If your guest has additional needs and requires more support from us, we will put this in place.
Improving English language helps with integration and feeling part of the local community. For information on accessing English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, contact abe.esol@fife.gov.uk or call 0800 7835161
Children aged 3-5, and eligible 2 year-olds, are entitled to free childcare. Please contact your local nursery or school who will help.
Back To TopScotland’s National Centre for Languages has compiled a comprehensive list of resources and supports Ukraine: resources for schools and families (scilt.org.uk)
Back To TopThe EIS Welcome to Scotland Pack provides some good advice for parents who have just arrived.
Back To TopFree school transport is available for children who live more than 1 mile from their primary school or more than 2 miles from their secondary school. This is the same criteria which applies to all school pupils in Fife.
Back To TopYes. Refugees are entitled to access travel concessions. Those eligible can access concessionary travel using a National Entitlement Card.
Back To Top- 60 + years of age - Free bus travel throughout Scotland and discounted train travel within Fife
- Disabled - Free bus travel throughout Scotland and discounted train travel within Fife
- 5-21 years of age - Free bus travel throughout Scotland. 16-18 year olds please visit Young Scot National Entitlement Card | Young Scot for more information
*Please note under 5’s travel free by bus and do not need a NEC
For more information about who is entitled to receive concessionary travel and what travel concessions are available please go to MyFife National Entitlement Card
MyFife National Entitlement Card | Fife Council
In Fife, the National Entitlement Card (NEC) is called a Myfife card. Your MyFife card makes it convenient to access a range of public services and facilities with only one card and is supported by the Scottish Government.
Back To TopDedicated staff within a Local Authority are assigned to help refugees and asylum seekers and can facilitate a card application process. In addition, dedicated card application processing staff, Concessionary Travel Team, concessionary.travel@fife.gov.uk , can also help.
To apply for National Entitlement Card, an applicant (or someone acting on their behalf) should make an appointment to attend a Local Office, taking with them the relevant proofs of identity, residence, and entitlement together with a passport-style photo ID or if attending in person, staff at the Local Office will be able to take a photograph.
If an applicant is eligible for concessionary travel on the grounds of a disability, a proof of entitlement must also be provided when applying.
To make an appointment at a Local Office call 03451 550066.
Once the relevant proofs have been presented to the member of staff and validated, a photograph of the applicant will be uploaded (either supplied or taken during the appointment) onto the electronic card management system and the NEC application will be processed.
Once processing is complete, a card will be produced and despatched to the same postal address as specified by the applicant at the time of the appointment. Typically, a card will be delivered in two weeks.
If an applicant has difficulty providing one/some of the required proofs, please contact concessionary.travel@fife.gov.uk and the team will do all it can to assist with the application.
Back To TopYour guests should register as an NHS patient as soon as possible after they arrive in Scotland. Visit www.NHSinform.scot/care-support-and-rights to find your nearest practice and to download a registration form. Your guests won’t have to pay for this service. Further advice on registering with a GP is also available here:
- Registering with a GP practice (Ukrainian/English) information & advice on how to register with a local GP
- Registering with a GP practice (Russian/English) - information & advice on how to register with a local GP
This useful guide will explain all the NHS services in Scotland and is available translated into Ukrainian or Russian.
More Health Information is available in this document:
Key Sources of Health Information & Resources for Displaced Ukrainians
If you are registered with a dentist that should be the first point of contact for your Ukrainian guests. Call your own dentist to ask if they can see your Ukrainian guests. If not, call the Fife Dental Advice Line on 01592 226555.
Back To TopSexual Health Fife provides a range of sexual, reproductive and emotional health services. Phone advice is available on 01592 64 79 79 Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 4pm.
These are the services you can expect to find;
· Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
· Contraception services
· Emergency contraception
· Free Condoms Fife
· LGBTQIA+ Resources
· HIV testing, treatment and support
· Hepatitis C testing, treatment and support
· PrEP - PrEP is a drug taken by HIV-negative people before and after sex that reduces the risk of getting HIV.
· PEP - Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a treatment that can prevent a person that has been exposed to HIV (e.g. through sex with a person with untreated HIV) from becoming infected with HIV.
· Gender Based Violence
· Young People’s Services
Referral routes
You can self refer to this service or be referred by your GP or other healthcare professional.
Online Information
Web Sexual health services in NHS Fife | NHS Fife
Twitter: Sexual Health Fife @shfife
Facebook: Sexual Health Fife - Home | Facebook
Back To TopBiometrics must be arranged within 6 months of arriving into the UK. The UK Government has launched a new online form to extend the length of stay and progress with biometrics. Please ensure the form is only completed if all guidance has been read and is applicable to the situation. The new online form can be found here.
Back To TopWe understand that sometimes personal circumstances can change. If for any reason you need to end the sponsorship arrangement early, you should inform us as soon as possible. We will help the people staying with you find alternative accommodation.
Back To TopYou must commit to at least 6 months of sponsorship but you can continue for longer if you and your Ukrainian guests wish to do so. Your ‘thank you’ payment is available for up to 12 months while your sponsor arrangement continues.
If you don’t want to continue the arrangement beyond six months, you should let your Ukrainian guests know in plenty of time (two months’ notice is recommended) so they can make other arrangements, and we will assist them during this time.
Ukrainian people will have access to public funds during their time in the UK, and at the end of their six months sponsorship will be able to rent a property like anyone else, the Council can help them in finding alternative accommodation.
Ukraine Family Scheme
Anyone fleeing Ukraine can come to live with family members who are already resident in the UK. Family members do not need to be official sponsors. Those coming to the UK should apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa instead.
Back To TopUkrainians who arrive through the Family Scheme, and their family members who welcome them, are not part of the Homes for Ukraine or Super Sponsorship schemes. The following are important differences to be aware of. For those who arrive through the Family Visa Scheme:
- Our Local Authority cannot provide an initial £200 per person payment
- Our Local Authority does not carry out a property check or Disclosure Scotland check
- The optional £350 ‘thank you’ payment cannot be paid to a family member
- The exemptions in place relating to Benefits and Council Tax do not apply under the Family Visa scheme
Our Local Authority cannot provide the same type of assistance under the Family Visa scheme, as the Government has different arrangements in place for this.
If any additional advice or assistance is needed, for anyone arriving under the Family Visa scheme, the usual Fife Council and national services are available.
- Register for Universal Credit as soon possible on arrival.
- Start a claim by visiting the nearest JobCentre Plus, locations can be found here.
- Or start a claim online here.
- Call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 13, and you’ll get free support from trained advisers to make a claim.
- Try the Help to Claim service provided by Citizens Advice.
- As well as UK Government benefits, as families may be entitled to wider benefits available through Social Security Scotland. For more information on the range of benefits available visit here.
- To speak with an advisor about Social Security Scotland benefits, call their helpline 0800 182 2222 – interpretation services are available. Translated factsheets can also be found here
- If immediate financial assistance is needed, a request for advance payment of Universal Credit can be requested, however if faced with destitution, please contact Social Work on 03451 55 15 03.
- To access English language lessons, contact our English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) service by emailing abe.esol@fife.gov.uk or call 0800 7835161.
- Free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice is also available to anyone through Citizen Advice, click here for more information.
- For information on housing options in Fife, please visit www.fifehousingregister.org.uk
- For further information and advice about immigration status, please refer to our ‘National source of advice’ & other advice providers in the ‘Other help’ sections
More information
For more information on Homes for Ukraine: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-scheme-frequently-asked-questions
For more information on the Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme: https://www.gov.scot/publications/super-sponsor-scheme-and-homes-for-ukraine-guidance-for-local-authorities/