Extra winter fuel payments for Homes for Ukraine hosts

Gloucestershire County Council and local councils will continue to pay £125 per month to those hosting on the Homes for Ukraine scheme for February and March 2023.

Hosts involved in the scheme have already received a £125 payment to help cover increased energy costs for November and December 2022, and January 2023. The decision comes following the Government’s extension of the Homes for Ukraine scheme for an additional year.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said, “I’m pleased we can offer more support to our county’s fantastic hosts on the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The cost of living around the UK is still uncomfortably high, and whether you are hosting an extra person or an entire family it will mean using more energy and a bigger monthly bill.

“We hope these payments will support hosts to stay with the scheme and help give Ukrainian guests a bit more time to get safe and settled in Gloucestershire.”

So far, the county has welcomed over 1300 Ukrainian guests. The commitment from the county and district council teams, alongside other public sector organisations and charities has been huge, with officers often going above and beyond to make sure people are safe and settled here.

Gloucestershire County Council, and all partners involved in the Homes for Ukraine scheme, plan to join the national one-minute silence to take place at 11am on Friday 24 February, marking a year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Could you become a host?

Gloucestershire’ Homes for Ukraine team is always looking for people who can offer a Ukrainian guest a safe place to stay under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The team are looking for people who might have a second home, rental property, annex, or spare rooms anywhere in Gloucestershire and particularly in the Cheltenham area. If you would be interested in supporting someone fleeing war for at least six months, please get in touch with the Homes for Ukraine team via 

An optional tax-free ‘thank you’ payment of £350 per sponsoring household per month is also available to hosts who can accommodate one or more guests for up to twelve months. This rises to £450 for months seven to twelve in Gloucestershire. After twelve months this ‘thank you’ payment is increased to £500 per household. The fuel payment extension of £125 per month for February and March 2023 is in addition to this.

Find out more online at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/your-community/ukrainian-support

How to support Ukrainians and other refugees in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS) have been a key partner in supporting people fleeing conflict and persecution for many years. Find out what you can do to help GARAS online at www.garas.org.uk

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk