Continuing to live with your host or rematching: Homes for Ukraine
What your options are if you want to continue to live with your host, or if you need to move on to a new host.
Sponsors were initially asked to host guests for a minimum of 6 months, and in most cases we know that sponsorship relationships are being sustained for 6-months or longer. However, in some cases there are reasons why a sponsorship arrangement needs to end before the 6-month point.
If your host is happy for you to continue to stay with them beyond the initial 6 months, this is likely to be the best option for you until you are ready to move on.
Not every host can continue to offer accommodation after 6 months, and we encourage you to develop a plan with your host about how you move on.
To help support sponsors who are able to continue hosting for longer, the thank you payment your sponsor receives from government will increase to £500, once you have been in the UK for 12 months. The payments will be available for up 36 months of your stay, although there is no expectation for your sponsor to host for this long.
Finding another host
If you are not able to continue with your current host, but are also not ready to move into your own accommodation, you may want to find a new host. There are several ways that you can do this.
You may already know someone who could host you, for example, through:
- your local faith group
- other community groups
- your work
- your current host
Alternatively, there are many other organisations that may be able to help, including recognised providers and other charities and our recognised providers.
Once you have found a new host for yourself, you should contact your local council so they can make the necessary checks to approve the arrangement. You can search for the local council here. This should happen before you move in with your host.
Moving to another area of the UK
If you want to move to another area of the UK, you must tell your local council before moving. They will then contact the council in the new area you want to move to, so they can make any necessary checks and can confirm your new living arrangements are suitable. If you do not do this, you could be putting yourself at risk and your new host will not be entitled to the ‘thank you’ payment.
You can search for your local council here.
Community groups, local charities and local councils have dedicated websites to give you more information about an area before you make a decision to move.
If you have a child aged between 4 and 16 years old it is important to consider the availability of school places in the area that you may move to. Read more about childcare and education. We recommend you also contact the school admissions team at your local council.
If you are already receiving Universal Credit or other benefits and your address changes you should tell the Department for Work and Pensions. This is to make sure you continue to receive your correct benefit entitlement.
Once you have settled in with your new host you should talk to them about basic arrangements for living together under the same roof. Read more about living with your sponsor.
Children
There is a separate process for rematching children who are living in the UK without a parent or legal guardian. If you are a child living in the UK without a parent or legal guardian, then please read the welcome guide.
Last updated 12 December 2023 + show all updates
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Updated to show that the thank you payment is now payable for up to 3 years after the guest arrives.
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Added translation