How soon will I be able to use my Hc2 (healthcare) benefits? Expand It might take up to six weeks before your details are registered. You can use your Hc2 as soon as you receive the card.
What do I do if there is a problem or question with my Hc2 Expand Call National Health Service (NHS) business service on 0300 330 1343 or visit the website to: confirm your eligibility check that your Hc2 is still valid see if your Hc2 will allow you free NHS prescriptions (medicine) see if your Hc2 will allow you free NHS dental care If you have been granted S95 support and: your new Hc2 has not been received after 21 days your Hc2 is lost your Hc2 is expired (out of date) or some of the details (information) on your Hc2 is wrong contact Migrant Help or phone 0808 8010 503
I need physical and mental health information in another language Expand Home Office documentation for people seeking asylum, who have concerns about their physical or mental health. Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, Kurdish, Pashtu, Punjabi, Spanish, Tigrinya and Urdu.
Why do I need a legal representative (a lawyer/solicitor)? Expand It is important that you speak to a legal representative at the earliest opportunity. A legal representative will: give you information about the asylum process help you translate your documents arrange for any additional reports to be submitted to the Home Office give you advice on the strengths and weaknesses of your case help you prepare for your main asylum interview provide interpreter for your sessions if needed represent you in court if you are refused and appeal get any further information you may need to explain your claim
How do I get legal advice: in England or Wales? Expand Contact one of these organisations: Law Society Direct Gov OISC- level 2/level 3 adviser Your legal advisor must be registered as a qualified lawyer with either the Law Society of England and Wales OR the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), which has a register of advisers who are Level 2 or 3. Level 2 or 3 means that the adviser is qualified to give you advice regarding your asylum application and represent you in all your asylum matters. You should ask your legal representative who they are registered with. The logos of the above organisations should appear on any letters you receive from them. You will also be able to check directly with the organisation that your legal representative is registered with them. You can also contact Migrant Help on 0808 8010 503, via webchat on our Service User Portal, migranthelpuk.org and we can assist you with finding a legal representative.
How do I get legal advice: in Scotland? Expand Contact one of these organisations: Scottish Legal Aid Board OISC- level 2/level 3 adviser The Law Society of Scotland: 0131 226 7411 Your legal advisor must be registered as a qualified lawyer with either the Law Society of Scotland OR the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), which has a register of advisers who are Level 2 or 3. Level 2 or 3 means that the adviser is qualified to give you advice regarding your asylum application and represent you in all your asylum matters. You should ask your legal representative who they are registered with. The logos of the above organisations should appear on any letters you receive from them. You will also be able to check directly with the organisation that your legal representative is registered with them. You can also contact Migrant Help on 0808 8010 503, via webchat on our Service User Portal, migranthelpuk.org and we can assist you with finding a legal representative.
How do I get legal advice: in Northern Ireland? Expand Contact one of these organisations: Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission Law Society of Northern Ireland Your legal advisor must be registered as a qualified lawyer with either the Law Society of Northern Ireland OR the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), which has a register of advisers who are Level 2 or 3. Level 2 or 3 means that the adviser is qualified to give you advice regarding your asylum application and represent you in all your asylum matters. You should ask your legal representative who they are registered with. The logos of the above organisations should appear on any letters you receive from them. You will also be able to check directly with the organisation that your legal representative is registered with them. You can also contact Migrant Help on 0808 8010 503, via webchat on our Service User Portal, migranthelpuk.org and we can assist you with finding a legal representative.
Can I get free legal advice? Expand As a person seeking asylum you may be entitled to free legal advice if you meet the criteria for legal aid. You will be classed as an asylum seeker once you have been fully screened. To be eligible for legal aid you will need to prove that you are on a low income and that your case has a realistic chance of success. If you are in England or Wales contact The Legal Aid Agency If you are in Scotland contact The Scottish Legal Aid Board on 0845 122 8686 If you are in Northern Ireland contact The Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission.
I have been asked to provide Proof of Support Expand If your legal advisor asks for a letter from the Home Office confirming you are on asylum support then you or your legal representative can email to request a copy, if you no longer have the original copy.
How can I complain about legal advice I have received? Expand If you believe that you have received bad legal advice, you have a right to submit a complaint. Your legal representative should issue you with a client care letter when you first meet. This letter confirms the work they will do for you as well as their complaints procedure. This will also confirm how long it will take to investigate your complaint. Submit a written complaint to the firm dealing with your case, including the following details: Your name and full contact details Full details of the complaint (including times, dates and places) Details of any witnesses (if relevant) Copies of letters or papers that are relevant Your case reference number
What is an Aspen card? Expand An Aspen card is a card that is used to give you weekly payments so that you can buy necessities. What you will need to buy depends on what kind of accommodation you are in (see How much money will I get on my Aspen card? below).
When will I get my Aspen card? Expand On dispersal if you are in receipt of cash or vouchers from the accommodation provider. If you are in full-board accommodation, you will get your Aspen card three weeks after your application for asylum support has been granted. If you are in self-catered accommodation, you will get your Aspen card as soon as you arrive at this accommodation.
How much money will I get on my Aspen card? Expand Money will be added to your Aspen card every Monday. The amount you receive depends on what kind of accommodation you are staying in: If you are in full-board initial accommodation (IA) or contingency accommodation you will receive £8.86 for each person in your household. This is so that you can buy clothes and footwear, non-prescription medicines and travel. If you are in self-catered initial accommodation or contingency accommodation you will receive £49.18 for each person in your household. This is so that you can buy clothes and footwear, non-prescription medicines, travel, food and non-alcoholic drinks. If you are in self-catered dispersal accommodation you will receive £49.18 for each person in your household. This is so that you can buy clothes and footwear, non-prescription medicines, travel, food, non-alcoholic drinks, toiletries, laundry, toilet paper and communications. If you are pregnant or have a child aged 1 to 3 you will receive an extra £5.25 each week. If you have a baby under 1 you will receive an extra £9.50 each week. This extra support is to buy health food.
How do I activate my Aspen card? / How can I start using my Aspen card? Expand Before you can use your card you must activate it by following these steps: Telephone 0800 246 1327 When prompted, select the appropriate language When prompted, choose Option 1: PIN reveal When prompted, key in the 16-digit number found on the front of your Aspen card When prompted, key in your date of birth in the format DDMMYY (for example, if your date of birth is 5 February 1975, enter 050275).
How do I check how much money I have on my Aspen card? Expand Telephone 0800 246 1327 When prompted, select the appropriate language When prompted, choose Option 2 When prompted, key in the 16-digit number found on the front of your Aspen card You will now be told the remaining balance on your Aspen card.
My Aspen card is lost / My Aspen card has been stolen Expand You can also call Migrant Help on 0808 8010 503, or raise an issue on our website to report that your Aspen card is lost or stolen and ask for a replacement card. Telephone 0800 246 1327 to make sure the card is blocked and cannot be used by anybody else.
I have a problem using my Aspen card Expand Call Migrant Help on 0808 8010 503, or raise an issue on our website.
I have a question or problem with payments on my Aspen card Expand Call Migrant Help on 0808 8010 503, or raise an issue on our website.
Can I use my Aspen card at a cash machine (ATM)? Expand If you are receiving Section 95 Support you can withdraw up to £300 per week from a cash machine (also known as an ATM). You can also check your balance. We advise you to make sure that you are not using a cash machine that charges you to use its services. You will not be able to use the free-standing “Portal” cash machines that are often found in smaller shops. This video shows you how to use a cash machine (ATM). If you are receiving Section 4 Support you can not use your Aspen card at a cash machine (ATM).
Can I use my Aspen card to shop on the internet? Expand No, the card cannot be used for purchasing goods on the internet.
Can I use my Aspen card to shop by telephone? Expand No, the card cannot be used for purchasing goods on by telephone.
Can I use my Aspen card to make contactless payments? Expand No, the card cannot be used for making contactless payments.
What happens if I don’t spend all the money on my Aspen card in one week? Expand Any remaining money will be carried over in your account, so that it is still available for you to spend.
How should I keep my Aspen card safe? Expand Keep your card safe at all times. Keep it with you. Do not write down your PIN or tell anyone what the number is.