Banking
A key step in accessing services is securing a bank account but without a permanent address, a biometric residency permit and no utility bills where do you start?
Get a bank account and your arrival payment: Homes for Ukraine
How to find the right bank for you, and when you will receive your arrival payment. The government guidance can be found here
There have been very positive reports of the services provided by NatWest in Shaftesbury and their national response seems to have been equally supportive. Their multi lingual guidance and on line process is here.
Meanwhile other banks provide similar guides. Here are links to the ones that we know about.
Succesful experience of using HSBC in Bridport suggests you need to bring a UK registered smartphone which the application can be carried out on, the guest's passport, UK visa and their national ID number.
HSBC Local Director – Rachel Hill –rachel.e.hill@hsbc.com has asked for any feedback or queries that your local HSBC branch is unable to resolve. Tel. 03457 404404 Mobile. 07468 703769 Email: rachel.e.hill@hsbc.com
An alternative that some hosts have explored is using their bank account to gain access to services for their guests. Personal identity and financial security is a high priority for refugees and our advice would be to persevere with the process of securing an account in their own name.
Bank Account Update
Citizens Advice shared this North Devon council website link which has useful information on setting up a bank account: Bank Accounts for Ukrainians
