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  1. faqs

What’s included?

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The service covers simple Wills. If you need a more complex Will, your solicitor will explain any costs before proceeding.

Published: 24th September, 2025

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Who pays for it?

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Migrant Help covers the cost directly with the solicitor — so your simple Will is free to you.

Published: 24th September, 2025

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Do I have to leave a gift to Migrant Help?

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There’s absolutely no obligation. But many supporters choose to include a gift, helping refugee families find safety and rebuild their lives.

Published: 24th September, 2025

Updated: 17th October, 2025

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Can I do this remotely?

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Many solicitors in the network offer phone or online appointments, as well as face-to-face meetings, giving you flexibility to choose what works best for you.

Published: 24th September, 2025

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Pregnancy care transfer cards

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These transfer cards aim to improve safety by supporting pregnant women and pregnant people to access maternity care as soon as possible after they mov. They can be downloaded in the language of your choice here: southeastclinicalnetworks.nhs.uk/pregnancy-care-transfer-cards

Published: 31st October, 2025

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GP registration transfer cards

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The cards aim to improve continuity of care and avoid duplication by supporting newly arrived individuals to re-register (or register if a first registration) as soon as possible after they move. They can be downloaded in the language of your choice here: england.nhs.uk/publication/gp-registration-transfer-cards

Published: 31st October, 2025

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When should I tell the Home Office that I am pregnant and what evidence of pregnancy does the Home Office require?

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You should tell the Home Office that you are pregnant as soon as you have received confirmation of pregnancy. The Home Office requires original, written confirmation of pregnancy from a health official, e.g. a MATB1 form or a letter from a treating clinician, such as a Community Midwife or GP, which shows Expected Due Date (EDD) and details about the health professional. You can get a MATB1 certificate from your midwife or doctor providing your antenatal care, when you are 20 weeks pregnant. Before this date, ask the midwife or doctor to write a letter to confirm your pregnancy.

Published: 24th February, 2026

Updated: 25th February, 2026

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Am I entitled to claim additional asylum support payments for being pregnant?

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Yes. Provided you are receiving asylum support, you can apply for extra money each week and a one-off maternity grant. You’ll get extra money to buy healthy food if you’re pregnant or a mother of a child aged 3 or under (up until they turn 4). The amount you get will depend on your situation.

Your situation
Extra payment per week
Pregnant mother £5.25
Baby under 1 year old £9.50
Child aged 3 or under (up until they turn 4) £5.25

You can also apply for a £300 maternity grant to help buy things for your baby.

Published: 24th February, 2026

Updated: 25th February, 2026

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When can I receive the one-off maternity grant?

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You can apply for a one-off £300 maternity grant if your baby is due in 11 weeks or less (i.e., you are at least 29 weeks pregnant), or if your baby is under 6 months old.

Published: 24th February, 2026

Updated: 25th February, 2026

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How can I apply for additional asylum support payment or maternity grant

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Migrant Help can assist you to apply.

You apply for the maternity grant in the same way whether you’re still an asylum seeker or you’ve been refused asylum, provided you are in receipt of asylum support.

You can apply for the maternity grant at the same time you apply for additional weekly asylum support payments, but you need to apply for them separately.

Before birth: You’ll need to provide written confirmation of your pregnancy from a health official e.g., MATB1 form or a letter from a treating clinician, such as a Community Midwife or GP, which shows Expected Due Date (EDD) and details about the health professional.

You can get a MATB1 certificate from your midwife or doctor providing your antenatal care, when you are 20 weeks pregnant. Before this date, ask the midwife or doctor to write a letter to confirm your pregnancy.

After birth: You’ll need to provide the baby’s birth certificate.

Migrant Help can help you check and submit your application. If you're not yet eligible, they will explain when you will be and invite you to contact them again.

Published: 24th February, 2026

Updated: 25th February, 2026

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How do I receive my extra payments and grant once approved?

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Your allowance will be transferred onto an ASPEN card each week. An ASPEN card is like a debit card. You’ll be able to use the card in most shops and to get cash from a cash machine unless you are on section 4 support, where you will not be allowed to withdraw cash.

Published: 24th February, 2026

Updated: 25th February, 2026

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Will the Home Office move me from my accommodation whilst I am pregnant?

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Wherever possible, pregnant women should only be moved once, whilst they are pregnant, unless they specifically request relocation or have specific accommodation needs.

Relocation in the late stages of pregnancy should only be undertaken either at the request of the applicant or her treating medical practitioners. If such a request is made, it must be made in writing.

Late stages of pregnancy will be defined as normally running from six weeks before the Estimated Date of Delivery (EDD), i.e., at least 34 weeks pregnant, and until a clinician has signed off on the postnatal checks. The latter will usually be around six weeks after birth unless there have been complications.

If there is a plan to move you during your late stages of pregnancy, then contact your accommodation provider and Migrant Help.

Published: 24th February, 2026

Updated: 25th February, 2026

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Will the Home Office pay for transport to attend appointments?

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You must let your accommodation provider know at the earliest opportunity if you need help with transport costs to attend medical appointments and registrations of births.

For journeys more than 3 miles, there is a pre-travel approval process for funded public transport. Should approval be given, you will either be issued with a public transport ticket or funds for public transport will be added to their ASPEN Card.

Accommodation providers are required to give you support through provision of bus & train routes/timetables to support you in making that journey.

There is also provision for journeys of less than three miles to be publicly funded in exceptional circumstances and these, along with any use of taxis, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Published: 24th February, 2026

Updated: 25th February, 2026

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What do I need to do when my baby is born if I am receiving asylum support?

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There are 2 key things that it is important that you do:

  1. Add your baby to your asylum support claim for additional weekly payment. Doing this will make sure that you receive a weekly allowance for both you and your baby.

    Contact Migrant Help who can assist you and help you understand what supporting documents are required when submitting your request.

    If you do this within 2 weeks of birth, support payments for your baby will be backdated to the date of birth.

    You will need to provide the long birth certificate within 7 weeks of birth if this is not provided when your baby is initially added to your support claim.

  2. Add your baby to your asylum claim. For your baby to be included on your asylum claim, you will need to request that they are added as a dependent.

    Once a request has been made, you will be given an appointment to attend a Home Office location so that your baby can be added to your asylum claim.

    To make a request, you will need to contact the Home Office, stating that you want to add a new dependant to your asylum claim.

    Your request must also include the full name, date of birth, and nationality of the person you want to be included as a dependant on your asylum claim.

    You must also provide any supporting evidence that you have, for example, a scanned copy of a full UK birth certificate if your child was born in the UK.

    The Home Office can be contacted in one of the following ways:
    By emails
    : [email protected]

    By post:
    UKVI PO Box 7782
    Village Way
    Bilston
    WV1 9QB

Published: 24th February, 2026

Updated: 25th February, 2026

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How do I officially register my child’s birth and obtain a birth certificate?

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England
Wales
Northern Ireland
Scotland
A baby must be registered within 42 days of the child being born. A baby must be registered within 42 days of the child being born. A baby must be registered within 42 days of the child being born. A baby must be registered within 21 days of the child being born.
A baby can be registered at the local register office for the area where the baby was born or at the hospital before the mother leaves. The hospital will tell you if you can register the birth there. A baby can be registered at the local register office for the area where the baby was born or at the hospital before the mother leaves. The hospital will tell you if you can register A baby can be registered in any District Registration office in Northern Ireland. A baby can be registered at any Registration office in Scotland. You can get details of registrars from your local council.

Published: 24th February, 2026

Updated: 25th February, 2026

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How do I pay for a birth certificate?

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Registering births is the responsibility of the General Registry Office, and they are responsible for the fees and payments.

Registration of a birth is a legal requirement, and as such, the initial registration is provided free of charge. There is a fee for a birth certificate.

The Home Office provides maternity grants to asylum seekers which include covering the cost of a birth certificate.

Published: 24th February, 2026

Updated: 25th February, 2026

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Free asylum helpline:
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