 Today we wanted to update you on the £200 initial payments to Ukrainian guests - and what you can do to help speed these up.
It's vital that you complete our form to give us some basic details about your household and tell us if your guests have arrived.
Once this is done, payments can be made more quickly because the voluntary agencies handling these payments will be able to confirm the details they need to pay the cash without delay.
We know many of you have already completed our form - thank you. If you have not yet, please can we ask you to do it now to avoid delays.
Once you have completed the form, Ukrainian guests can arrange their £200 welcome payment from a local centre.
This one-off payment for immediate expenses is for every person (adult or child) with a visa under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. They (or you) are asked to contact their local voluntary association to arrange picking up the payment.
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In Eastbourne, Lewes or Wealden - contact 01323 639373
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In Hastings - contact 01424 444010
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In Rother - contact 01424 217259 or 07871 603235
On contact, they will be told where to collect the payment. Everyone will be asked to sign a receipt for the cash. Guests should bring their passport (or if they do not have one, their confirmed visa or eVisa code or Biometric Residence Permit). Adults will be able to collect payments for those in their family under the age of 18.
Payments by post
Guests can instead ask for their £200 payment by post if they prefer.
If they request this, we'll send them a letter with a cheque which can then be cashed at any branch of Nat West bank. The bank will also need that person's passport to be shown.
To request this option, guests are asked to email ukraine@eastsussex.gov.uk
Future payments
We're developing more permanent systems for payments and will update you as these are set up. They will include ways for hosts to request an optional £350 monthly payment.
We're grateful to bus companies Stagecoach and Brighton and Hove buses for offering free 4-week bus travel to your guests.
Our voluntary colleagues are able to give the Stagecoach passes to guests along with their £200 payment, but making the payments is their priority. We should stress that they can't give advice on travel or bus routes.
Please contact the bus companies direct for more information:
For services on Stagecoach
For services on Brighton and Hove buses
To collect a travel pass for Brighton and Hove buses, your guests should take their passport and visa to one of the company's offices:
1 Stop Travel Shop - 26 North Street, Brighton, BN1 1EB Open Monday to Friday - 0830-18.30, Saturday - 0900-1730, Sunday and Bank Holidays - 0930-1600
Head Office travel shop - 43 Conway Street, Hove BN3 3LT Open Monday to Friday - 0830-1700
Once again we'd like to thank you for your generosity and your patience as we work together to make our Ukrainian guests welcome. All the local authorities, NHS, emergency services and voluntary groups in East Sussex are with you on this. We'll keep you updated.
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