Refugee schemes

If you need help or support with housing or the cost of living you can find further information at guidance or advice on housing and cost of living support page.

To find support with homelessness or the risk of being homeless you can visit our dedicated advice pages.

Help for Ukraine

There are 2 government schemes for those forced to escape Ukraine.

Homes for Ukraine

This scheme allows people to flee to the UK from Ukraine. Anyone settled in the UK can offer help. This includes:

• individuals
• charities
• community groups
• businesses

You can see full details and register your interest on the government's Homes for Ukraine page.

Ukraine Family Scheme

The Ukraine family scheme allows family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK. Full details can be found on the government’s Ukrainian Family Scheme website.

If you are outside of the UK

You can apply to the Ukrainian Family Scheme.

For help and advice, you can call the free helpline on +44 (0)808 164 8810. If you cannot contact 0808 numbers please call +44 (0)1753 907 510.

Both helplines are open 24 hours a day.

We have set up dedicated email addresses for local charities and volunteers. You can contact us if you need advice or would like to offer help.  You can email us or Kent County Council.

You can also visit Kent County Council’s support for Ukrainian nationals website.

Welcome guide

To help you over the first few weeks and months in the UK, Kent County Council have created a handbook containing information about Kent and the UK.

Welcome to Kent handbook

• English version
• Ukrainian handbook
• Russian handbook

A guide has been published by government to help you to settle into life in the UK. The guide covers:

• what you need to know in your first few days
• getting used to life in the UK
• accessing essential public services
• finding work
• education

A guide has also been created for people who are supporting Ukrainian refugees with regard to cultural sensitivity guidelines.

We also have the welcome to Maidstone leaflet which you can print off and hand out.

Cultural sensitivity guidelines

You may also find the following guides useful:

• Ukranian guidelines
• Russian guidelines

Afghan Resettlement Scheme

Further information and guidance on the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme can be found on the government guidance pages.

You can contact our customer services for general enquiries on 01622 602 750

Kent County Council also have a helpline for enquiries. You can contact them by calling 03000 412424