Exisiting/Revised/New: Revised
Date of Screening: 18/05/2022
Screening Outcome - Full EQIA recommended: No
On 14 March 2022 the Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Under this scheme, sponsors must provide accommodation for a minimum of six months. Sponsors can also receive an optional ‘thank you’ payment of £350 per month for up to the first 12 months of sponsorship. This payment is limited to one monthly payment per residential address, regardless of the number of individuals sponsored.
The policy aim of these payments is they will be disregarded in respect of a person’s entitlement to benefit, however currently, there is no disregard in NI legislation to meet this policy intention.
The Income-Related Benefits (Local Welfare Provision Disregard) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022