When will my asylum support stop? Expand If you were granted leave prior to 9 March 2026 For Singles (Group size 1) Your asylum support will stop 28 days after your asylum support discontinuation letter is received. It is classed as received 2 days after it has been issued by the Home Office. For families, pregnant households, those over 65, and those with disabilities that affect their day-to-day living, the discontinuation period will be a minimum of 56 days since you were notified of the decision on your asylum application and a minimum of 28 days' notice of support discontinuation. Your accommodation provider will give you a minimum of seven days’ notice to leave your accommodation in a ‘Notice to Quit’ letter. If you were granted leave on or after 9 March 2026 you will continue to receive support for 42 days from when you were notified of the positive decision on your asylum claim. You will also receive a minimum of 28 days from the point you are notified that your asylum support will be discontinued. Your accommodation provider will give you a minimum of 7 days’ notice to leave your accommodation in a ‘Notice to Quit’ letter, but in most cases, will be issued around the same time as your discontinuation letter.
When will I receive my eVisa? Expand You will receive your eVisa within 14 working days of being granted leave to remain in the UK. Please see more information on eVisa including reporting errors and accessing share codes here: https://www.migranthelpuk.org/pages/faqs/category/evisa-newly-granted-refugees
How can I apply for Universal Credit? Expand You can apply for Universal Credit if you are under the UK state pension age, not in full time employment, and need help with living costs. The current state pension age is 66, but please note that this will increase from 2026 onwards. You are able to apply for Universal Credit as soon as you receive your positive decision. You will have to prove your identity once you have applied. You can prove your status with your eVisa. You can apply for Universal Credit in the following ways: Citizens Advice | Help to Claim service This can help with the early stages of your Universal Credit application, including making the application, interview guidance and advice on problems with payments.• England - 0800 144 8444 • Wales - 0800 241 220 • Scotland - 0800 023 2581 • Not available in Northern IrelandUniversal Credit Helpline (you can ask for an interpreter) • England, Wales, and Scotland - 0800 328 5644 • Northern Ireland - 0800 012 1331Universal Credit online You can also apply online, you’ll need: your bank, building society or credit union account details, an email address and access to a phone. If you do not have these, you can call the Universal Credit helpline or go to a jobcentre. You can also get support from the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service. Universal Credit takes five weeks to be paid. Please ask about the advance payment at your first interview if you need to receive payments sooner; or if you have already had your first interview you can phone the Universal Credit Service Centre Helpline to ask for this.
Do I need a bank account? Expand You will need a bank account to receive Universal Credit. Your eVisa (share code) and proof of address will be required to open an account. Please see the following online banks: Monzo Monese Starling Bank Revolut Chase Bank UK Alternatively, you can apply for a bank account on the high street, at places such as Lloyds Bank and Nationwide Building Society.
How do I secure housing? Expand If you require support with housing, you will need to approach the local housing options and/or homelessness team at the local council as soon as possible. The local council housing options team may not be able to provide you with housing. Please ensure you update them when you receive your ‘Notice to Quit’ letter that shows your eviction. Private rented accommodation is an alternative to local council accommodation. Find your local council Local housing allowance rates Your Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate is the maximum amount of housing benefit you can get, based on factors like your local area and your household size, when renting from a private landlord. To find out more about your LHA rate by postcode or Local Authority, filter by city and bedroom requirements on the links below: UK, Scotland & Wales Northern Ireland More information on Local Housing Allowance can be found at Local Housing Allowance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Private accommodation/landlords (filter by city and bedroom requirements) DSS Move DSSaccepted Zoopla Rightmove Homefinder UK Nuroa If you secure private accommodation you may be able eligible for a discretionary housing payment from the council, to support with rental deposits and your first months rent. Please find more information below, entering your postcode where required for the correct amount: England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland You can apply for a refugee integration loan to pay for: A rent deposit or rent Household items Education and training for work If you are claiming a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit you may be eligible for support towards your housing costs. Once you are liable to pay your rent, please ensure you declare this to Universal Credit. Refugee Integration Loan Ensure you sign it then scan or photograph the completed form, along with supporting documents, and email them to the Home Office. Make sure you provide your National Insurance number. You should also provide: Your eVisa (share code) A bank statement, or letter confirming your bank details
How do I get a National Insurance number? Expand If you have an eVisa, you may have a National Insurance number already. It will be linked to your account or on the email you have received. If you don’t have a National Insurance number yet or don’t remember it, you can still apply for Universal Credit. You can also call the National Insurance number application line on 0800 141 2079 (England, Scotland and Wales) or 0800 587 0024 (Northern Ireland). Ask whether they issued you with a National Insurance number. If they haven’t, you can ask what you need to do to apply for one.
Will the Home Office extend my support? Expand In limited circumstances, support may be reinstated or extended following a discontinuation. If you believe there is a reason for your support to be reinstated or extended, please contact Migrant Help who will submit your request to the Home Office. The Home Office should respond to your request within 5 working days where all relevant information has been provided. Common scenarios where an extension or reinstatement may be required include: where a decision or discontinuation of support has not been served in line with policy specific safeguarding or health reasons that are reviewed by the safeguarding team or medical expert and determined that support should not be discontinued court orders and appeals where someone has been granted leave and issued an eVisa, but there is an error on the eVisa which means the individual is unable to use it (Please note: The home office will automatically consider extending support when looking into the eVisa issue.) The Home Office will consider each request for a reinstatement or extension of support on a case-by-case basis. eVisas If you identify an error on your eVisa you must report these to the Home Office immediately, or within 10 days where not possible, using the Report an Error service on GOV.UK. The Home Office will then consider whether support should be reinstated or extended. You do not need to contact Migrant Help to make this request. For more information about reinstatements and extensions of support, see the Ceasing Asylum Support guidance on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ceasing-asylum-support-instruction
Job Centre Plus Work Coach Expand If you are receiving Universal Credit and are job ready you will be provided with the details of a Job Centre Plus Work Coach. The Work Coach will support with job searching, connect you with potential employers, find you training programmes, support with your CV and help with interview techniques.
What documents do I need for my Universal Credit application or housing appointments? Expand NTQ showing your end of support/eviction date. Bank account details (if you don’t have one contact the Citizens Advice (CAB) Help to Claim service for further guidance. See Universal Credit section above for contact details). Details of any income and savings. Details of any work you are planning to start. The CAB Help to Claim service can provide guidance on documents required as part of their service. England - 0800 144 8444 Wales - 0800 241 220 Scotland - 0800 023 2581 Not available in Northern Ireland
Other services Expand You can download an app called RefAid. RefAid is a mobile app, that shows you nearby services, with a very simple interface. You can search for support with ESOL, housing, social engagement, food banks and employment support in your area. Northern Ireland - LawCentreNI Refugee Transition Guide Northern Ireland – Housing Executive Wales – Welsh Refugee Council For support with Accessing your eVisa / Obtaining a share code more information can be found here: https://www.migranthelpuk.org/pages/faqs/category/evisa-newly-granted-refugees