Under the current UK government plans, people granted refugee status in the UK can:
- – Apply for work.
- – Apply for council housing.
- – Claim benefits if you have no money or low income. You can claim universal credit as soon as you get your refugee status.
- – Rent private accommodation.
You will receive an official immigration document with your photo after a positive Home Office decision on your asylum claim. This is called a biometric residence permit. It confirms you have recourse to public funds and it is proof that you can claim for benefits and apply for help with housing.
Useful services
Ealing Advice Service
this service provides generalist advice for residents of the London Borough of Ealing. This is a free, high quality advice and assistance in social welfare law across a range of areas including welfare benefits, landlord & tenant, homelessness, debt, employment, family and immigration. You can contact them on 020 8579 8429 from 10 AM to 4 PM, Monday to Friday with the exception of Bank Holidays and the period between Christmas day and New Year’s day.
Help to claim from Citizens Advice
this charity can help you to apply for universal credit. Call a Help to Claim adviser on 0800 144 8444. Ask for a translator if you need advice in another language.
Contact us about applying for Universal Credit – Citizens Advice
Action West London
provides employment support and employment brokerage, benefits and housing advice, ESOL support, and more. Service is available to candidates with a refugee status or spouses of refugees (family reunion visa) residing in west London. Face-to-face, online and over the phone advice is available. You can contact them on 020 8993 9605 or 0208 7354770. You can find more information on https://actionwestlondon.org.uk/projects/working-west-london/ OR email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Ealing Law Centre
Ealing Law Centre provides the community rights based legal services which enable the community to exercise their rights and entitlements to housing, welfare rights and rights as migrants. We are the only specialist legal services provider in the area providing free legal services in housing, immigration and welfare rights law. You can contact Ealing Law Centre on 020 8579 4598 or by emailing [email protected]
Ealing Law Centre provides legal advice and representation to those most in need
West London Welcome
We welcome refugees, people seeking asylum, and migrants looking for support and companionship, who live in the boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Ealing, and Hounslow. People are encouraged to self-refer via https://www.westlondonwelcome.com/get-help/
MAAS (Migrant Advisory & Advocacy Service)
MAAS is an independent community organisation (NGO) providing the help and support migrants and refugees/asylum seekers, and other disadvantaged people with protected characteristics, require to be able to freely exercise their very limited rights without any obstruction and have equal access to justice, thereby maintaining a tolerant society for all. You can contact this service on 020 8571 7950 [or send a text to 07732 685 285 or send an email to [email protected]] to book an appointment.
The Ealing Community School of English
This services provides English language lessons, at all levels, to adults in the Ealing area and the wider community on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Their aim is to help English language learners improve their English and integrate better into their communities, as well as achieve their personal and career aspirations. You can contact them on [email protected] or 07565 386 757
Golden Opportunities Skills & Development
GOSAD works with people including refugee & asylum seeking population living in Ealing and provides them employment support, skills, training, sports projects, crime diversionary activities, mental health projects, mentoring and leadership programmes in order to empower them. You can contact them emailing [email protected] or by calling 020 8571 9529.
Support for Families
The Baby Bank at The Salvation Army
The Baby Bank are able to provide nappies, clothes, equipment for babies aged 4 years old and under as well as signposting to other services. A referral can be made to [email protected] or you can contact them on 020 8840 0348 on Wednesdays or Thursdays between 9:30am – 12pm.
Home-Start Ealing
This service supports families with a child under 5 years old at home. They offer trained volunteers with parenting experience who are able to visit families 2-3 hours per week in their own home. Their support includes offering a listening ear, adult company, helping and playing with your children, giving reassurance, helping you to find out about and access other local amenities and services, giving encouragement and motivation and giving practical help. You can contact them on 020 8842 1617