078/22 Providing ESF support to Ukrainian refugees
Updated 29 February 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esf-action-notes-2014-to-2020-programme/07822-providing-esf-support-to-ukrainian-refugees
| Date Issued | 04 May 2022 |
| Review Date | 31 December 2023 |
1. Who should read
Beneficiary Organisations, ESF Division, Greater London Authority, Intermediate Bodies.
2. Purpose
To confirm access to ESF funded support for Ukrainian Refugees settling in England.
3. Background
In response to the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, the ESF 2014 to 2020 Programme Managing Authority has established how Ukrainian refugees settling in England are able to access ESF provision.
This note sets out these arrangements and also, for information, sets out the suite of DWP support available to Ukrainian refugees.
4. Action
ESF projects are asked to note the contents of this Action Note, and in particular the detail set out below regarding Ukrainian refugees seeking access to ESF support.
Ukrainian Refugees coming to the UK through the two visa routes
- Ukraine Family Scheme and
- Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme
will be able to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds immediately.
This means they will meet the requirements set out in the Eligibility Rules and Programme Guidance for the 2014 to 2020 England ESF Programme and are eligible for ESF support via existing live ESF projects immediately.
Relevant paragraphs from the Eligibility Rules and Programme Guidance are:
- non-EEA (European Economic Area) nationals who hold leave to enter or leave to remain with a permission to work (including status under the (EU Settlement Scheme) EUSS where they are an eligible family member of an EEA national) are also eligible for ESF support whilst in the UK.
Ukrainian Refugees are also eligible for Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) support providing they meet the YEI eligibility criteria. Aged between 15 and 29, they are not in education, employment or training (NEET) and reside in a YEI eligible area.
ESF Projects should check with the Home Office if they have any doubts about an individual’s Immigration Status. In addition to entitlement to access ESF support immediately, DWP Policy colleagues have confirmed the following
- emergency legislation, came into force on Tuesday 22 March 2022. This exempted those arriving from Ukraine from the Habitual Residence Test and Past Presence Test, giving them immediate access to employment support, services and benefits. Devolved administrations have introduced similar legislation
- communications have been delivered to all DWP sites to ensure DWP staff are aware of specific support available for those fleeing conflict in Ukraine
- employment support will be aligned with the requirements of a person’s Universal Credit claim, including the use of employment support programmes and work coach engagement
- those arriving from the Ukraine will have access to an assigned work coach who will work with individuals to understand their employment needs and thus tailor the support they provide appropriately providing help with skills training, CV writing and help securing work experience to help each claimant to progress towards the labour market and find employment
5. Contact
If you have any queries regarding this Action Note please email ESF.2014-2020@dwp.gov.uk