When will my asylum support stop? Expand If you receive a positive asylum decision, you have 28 days from notification of your asylum decision to move on from Home Office support (if you receive a negative decision, you will have 21 days). If you, or your legal representative, has not receive your Biometric Residence Permit in that time, your support will continue until you do so. Asylum support and your accommodation provider will give you a minimum of seven days’ notice in a ‘notice to quit’ letter before your asylum payments and asylum accommodation will end. It is important that you start making plans as soon as you receive your asylum decision so that you are ready to move on.
When will I receive my Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card? Expand You should normally receive your BRP card within 10 days of getting your Home Office decision. The card is an important document that you should keep safe, as it serves as proof of your right to stay, work and claim benefits in the UK. It is also used as proof of identity for benefit purposes. If you have a legal representative, your BRP card might be sent to them. You will need to check with your legal representative/solicitor in case this is sent to them. If your BRP is posted directly you may receive a text and/or email confirming delivery. However, if they do not have your details you might not get this advance notification. If you miss the delivery, you will get a ‘missed delivery/ Royal Mail calling card’ left at your address. Follow the instructions on this card to arrange for the BRP to be re-delivered. You can contact Royal Mail where you will need your thirteen-digit consignment number (ending with ‘GB’) that can be found on the card that the Royal Mail left at your address. Some BRPs are still being delivered by the delivery company TNT. If this is the case for you, you will receive an email or text from TNT telling you when your BRP will arrive and how to change the delivery time and date if necessary. If you have not received your BRP card within 10 working days of being granted your leave to remain, and you are unable to track your order with TNT, please contact the Home Office. This can be done directly or through your legal representative. The Home Office should respond within five working day.
I have received my BRP card but the details are incorrect Expand If the information on the BRP is incorrect then you must report the issues to the Home Office. This may relate to: Name Place of birth Date of birth Gender Nationality Photograph Please note: your name and date of birth should match those on any immigration paperwork. If you have not yet notified the Home Office of BRP errors you must report these. If you are still in receipt of support, once you have reported any errors, you must contact our helpline where we will complete a reinstatement request. You will need to provide information on how and when you notified the Home Office so that we can include this in the application.
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 a positive decision, even if you have yet to receive your BRP or proof of status. You’ll have to prove your identity once you have applied. You’ll need some identity documents for this, for example your: • driving licence • passport • debit or credit card • payslip or P60 The job centre will provide you with a full list of acceptable documents prior to your initial appointment to prove your identity. If you do not have these documents, you will need to discuss this at your initial appointment. 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 Ireland Universal Credit Helpline (you can ask for an interpreter) • England, Wales, and Scotland - 0800 328 5644 • Northern Ireland - 0800 012 1331 Universal 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. A Biometric Residency Permit (BRP) 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 NTQ 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 photocopies of: Your biometric residence permit, immigration status document or passport A bank statement, or letter confirming your bank details
How do I get a National Insurance number? Expand If you have a BRP, you may have a National Insurance number already. It will be printed on the back of your BRP if you do. 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. If you have not received your BRP, please refer to When will I receive my BRP card?.
Will the Home Office extend my support? Expand The Home Office will not reinstate support where accommodation has not been found or benefits are not in place. You will need to speak to your local council housing options team to see if they can provide you with emergency housing, or provide details of any homelessness support available locally. If you have applied for Universal Credit, you should contact the helpline to request an advance payment. The Home Office may consider reinstating support if one of the following apply: If you receive a termination of support letter or notice to quit and You have not received 7 days’ notice. You have not received your BRP You have reported the errors on you BRP and these have not yet been corrected. Or you require adaptations to your property. If you meet these criteria, please contact our helpline on 0808 8010 503.
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