21st March 2025
Homes For Ukraine Lincolnshire e-newsletter
Welcome to the latest issue of our e-newsletter for Homes For Ukraine guests and hosts. This newsletter is sent out by Lincolnshire County Council's Migration Team. You can email the team on: homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk. Our business hours are Monday to Thursday 09:00 - 17:00 and Friday from 09:00 - 16:30. The email address is constantly monitored during these times.
You can also visit our Homes For Ukraine Lincolnshire website to find other information, and also to read this newsletter in Ukrainian or Russian. Use the 'Select Language' button at the top of the screen to switch language.
Відвідайте веб-сайт «Оселі для України в Лінкольнширі», щоб прочитати цей інформаційний бюлетень українською або російською мовами. Для перемикання мови використовуйте кнопку «Вибрати мову» у верхній частині екрана.
Посетите сайт «Homes For Ukraine Lincolnshire», чтобы прочитать этот бюллетень на украинском или русском языке. Для переключения языка используйте кнопку «Выбрать язык» в верхней части экрана.
Ukraine Permission Extension Visas
Ukraine Permission Extension scheme
The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme was announced to grant Ukrainians in the UK an additional 18 months permission to stay in the country. This visa scheme has now opened so that UPE applications can now be made by people with 28 or fewer days remaining on their existing visa. Full details about the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme are available on the UK Government website - this is also available in Ukrainian and Russian.
Please note that you should have a UKVI account and have access to your eVisa before applying for a UPE visa.
If you apply for a UPE visa after your current permission expires you will lose your current entitlements to work, rent and receive benefits until a decision is made on your UPE application. If you want to extend your stay in the UK, apply within the last 28 days of your current visa.
It is very important that you know the date on which your existing permission expires so that you know when you can make your UPE visa application.
You can confirm the expiry date of your current visa by looking at your UKVI account/eVisa or by generating a share code.
Providing biometrics for a UPE application
On 10 March 2025 the UPE guidance was updated to include guidance about re-using biometric information. The key update was "If you apply using your BRP you may be able to reuse previously submitted biometrics (fingerprint and photograph) and may not need to attend a UK Visas and Citizenship Application (UKVCAS) service point."
We believe that UPE applicants can now re-use their biometric information by scanning their Biometric Residence Permit with a smartphone during the UPE application. For many people this will reduce the need to travel to a UK Visas and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) location as part of their UPE application.
Most people will have BRP that expired on 31 December 2024, but it can still be used to provide biometrics for a UPE application.
Help to make a Ukraine Permission Extension application
Although most Ukrainians will be able to make a Ukraine Permission Extension application without help some people may require assistance. Here is a list of organisations who can help:
We Are Group
The Home Office Digital Assistance website explains that help is available for people struggling to make visa applications for technical reasons - for example people without internet access, or people who might struggle to use a computer or smartphone.
Full details are on the website, but the support is provided by the We Are Group. They can be contacted
- by email on visa@wearegroup.com
- by telephone on 03333 445 675
- by texting the word 'visa' and a number to call you back on to 07537 416 944
Citizens Advice
The Citizens Advice team in Lincolnshire have advisers who are Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) level 1 qualified, and there is a dedicated phone number and email address for Ukrainians to use to ask for help - please call 0344 847 6128 or email ukraine@citizensadvicesouthlincs.org.uk
Other immigration advisers
If you would like to talk to a qualified immigration adviser, you can search for one on the Immigration Advice Authority adviser finder
Lancashire County Council guides
Another council on the west coast of the UK - Lancashire County Council - have produced a set of guides on how to complete the UPE application. Their guides are available in both English and Ukrainian - some guests may find these helpful.
Lincolnshire County Council Migration Team
You can always email the team here if you have any questions and we will do our best to help you. You can email us on homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Updates on Ukraine Permission Extension scheme
The UK Government has published extensive guidance on the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme.
You can subscribe to the page by clicking the "Get emails about this page" button - this will ensure you are alerted whenever the guidance is updated.
Thank You Payments
March thank you payment date
We will be sending thank you payments to hosts on Thursday 27 March. As usual these payments will be sent by BACS and therefore should clear into your bank account within three working days - so payments should be with all hosts by Monday 31 March. Please wait for this clearing period to pass before contacting us to chase your payments.
Thank You payments are changing
The UK Government has confirmed that from May 2025 all thank you payments will be £350 a month - there will no longer be any payments made at £500 a month for guests who have been in the UK for more than 12 months.
Payments will be £350 irrespective of whether guests hold Homes For Ukraine visas or Ukraine Permission Extension visas.
If you think that the changes to thank you payments will impact on your ability to host beyond May 2025 please let us know by emailing homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk as soon as possible to help us understand how many guests may need to look for alternative accommodation. It is also important to talk to your guest about the options for their next steps with as much notice as possible. We have provided some useful information about housing options on our Homes For Ukraine Lincolnshire website.
Council Tax
We would ask all hosts and guests to be aware of updated guidance around UPE and council tax.
For guests moving to UPE visas it is important to understand the different impact on council tax for guests living with a host than for guests living independently. If you have any questions about how the changes might affect you, please contact either your District Council council tax team or email homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Mental Health Support
How to access NHS mental health support
Mental Health services in Lincolnshire are provided by Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust.
They provide talking therapies services for adults and for children and young people - we have leaflets explaining these services in both Ukrainian and Russian.
There is more information, and links to other sources of mental health support, on our Homes For Ukraine Lincolnshire website.
Employment
Lincoln Jobs Fair 02 April 2025
The Lincoln Jobs Fair is being held on Wednesday 02 April 2025 from 10am-1pm at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel at Brayford Wharf, Lincoln, LN1 1YW.
Attendees are requested to dress in smart clothing, bring an up-to-date CV and valid documents to prove their identity.
Tickets are free and you can apply for them from the Job Fair's Eventbrite site.
Education
IELTS course in Lincoln
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a widely-recognised qualification in English.
Lincoln College have recently started an evening course to prepare people for taking the IELTS exam. The course started in Lincoln on 05 March 2025 and runs on Wednesday evenings for 14 weeks. The cost of the course is £150.
Please see the course poster for further details.
Please note that this is a course to prepare you to take the IELTS exam. It does not include the IELTS exam itself.
The IELTS exam itself has to be booked and taken at an approved IELTS test centre. There is a cost to taking the exam, but the LCC Migration Team may be able to reimburse you for the cost of taking the exam (but not the cost of taking the preparatory course run by Lincoln College). If you would like to enquire about being reimbursed for the cost of taking the IELTS exam please email us on homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Other Help
Ukrainian Community Groups in Lincolnshire
If you are looking to join a Ukrainian community group, visit the Ukraine support groups directory on our Homes For Ukraine Lincolnshire website.
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice is a charity that offers free support and advice. It can help with a range of issues including immigration and visa advice, claiming universal credit and other benefits. Citizens Advice can provide home visits in rural areas.
In Lincolnshire there is a dedicated helpline number and email address for Homes For Ukraine guests to use. If you would like to ask for help you can call 0344 847 6128 or email ukraine@citizensadvicesouthlincs.org.uk. Citizens Advice also have IAA level 1 qualified staff.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact Lincolnshire County Council's Homes For Ukraine team on: homesforukraine@lincolnshire.gov.uk.