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Benefits, language skills and finding work

Apply for benefits

You may be able to claim benefits such as Universal Credit and others to help support you financially.

Apply for Universal Credit and other benefits

Open a bank account

You will need to open a bank account with a UK bank. This will enable you to:

  • claim your welcome payment of £200 and
  • receive any benefits you can claim. 
Get a bank account - GOV.UK

Language and skills courses

English language support

A range of English language support is available for Ukrainians in East Sussex. Courses, resources and groups on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) are on this page.

Level 1 - No English or basic English

  • Pre-entry ESOL programme:
    11 week courses through East Sussex College Group (ESCG) in Hastings and Eastbourne.
  • East Sussex Libraries - Learning
    Our libraries offer free Functional Skills English to level 2, fully accredited. These are in Eastbourne and Hastings libraries or online.
  • Informal conversational classes and cultural awareness input:
    refugee buddy group and local community groups including Sanctuary café, Black Butterfly, refugee buddy project, groundworks, HVA, RVA, 3VA.

Language apps

Level 2 - Some English but needs more to be work-ready or ESOL

  • East Sussex College Group (ESCG) ESOL Accredited courses from September: register your interest for these courses.
  • Sanctuary Cafe, Fridays between 10am and 12 noon at All Souls Church Hall, Wellesley Road, Eastbourne.
  • Ukrainian Café Hub, Robertson Street, Hastings offer conversational English groups Tuesday afternoon 1pm to 4pm.
  • Education Training Consortium Sussex
    Based in Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea. Offering Beginner-Elementary and Pre-Intermediate English lessons as well as IT lessons. Currently 8 classes per week.
  • Black Butterfly based in Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea
    Informal conversational classes with project spaces including gardening, cookery, and crafts.
  • Refugee Buddy Project
    Based in Hastings and Rother. Informal English conversation, 1 hour per week, for people who sign up with a buddy. Informal English conversation workshops available on understanding bills, council tax, housing, driving theory.
  • Diversity Resource International based in Lewes. Offering structured classes, internet-based learning, buddying, mentoring and peer support, and informal learning.
  • The Links Project Drop-In, Wednesdays 11am to 3pm at Central Hall, 6B Station Road, Hastings.

Level 3 - Good English/post ESOL/employability support

Finding a job and paying tax

Finding work

We know that many Ukrainians will want to work. You have the right to work as soon as you arrive in the UK. You need to be 18 to work full time.

There are many ways to look for a job.

In East Sussex, the ESTAR service helps refugees into work and training. 

All public organisations in East Sussex advertise job vacancies:

At the Jobcentre Plus office you can ask for a work coach to help you find and apply for local jobs.

You can also search and apply for work through the government's Find a Job site.

And many commercial sites list jobs which can be searched by area, including:

Employers must check a person is eligible to work in the UK before employing them. Arrivals can use their Biometric Residence Permit as evidence of the right to work.

Advice about employment rights, including the minimum wage, is available from Citizens Advice.

For more information on education and training, you can now visit East Sussex College Ukraine Support.

Support into Work programme

This helps Ukrainian guests in East Sussex get into employment.

The project will include:

  • An assessment to understand your employability needs.

  • One-to-one and group training in benefit calculations, working in the UK, job search support, mock interviews and more.

  • Signposting to other relevant support.

  • Funding some childcare for parents to access this support.

  • Funding clothing for job interviews where needed.

  • Working with the local housing authorities to help house those on the project.  

There are contact details and a referral form on the Careers East Sussex website.

Apply for a National Insurance number

You must have a National Insurance number to make sure your National Insurance contributions and tax are recorded properly.

You can apply and find more information on the government website:

Paying tax

Earnings from your job are taxed at different rates. This depends on the amount earned and the type of employment.

An employer will often deduct your income tax from your monthly salary using the PAYE system. Self-employed workers must calculate and pay their own tax.

To check what form of tax is right for you see GOV.UK: