Applying for Support.

There is a very long form to fill in, in English, if you need support. You should be able to get help with the form wherever you are in the UK. This help is available from assistant organizations and their 'one-stop services' (their details will be included with the form), or from any local refugee support agency. You can apply for accommodation (housing), financial support (money or food vouchers), or for both. You will not be given support unless you are destitute' (have no money). If you have any money or the National Asylum Support Service believes you can get some, you will have to live on that first. If you are refused support, or if your support is taken away before your asylum application has been finally decided, you can appeal to the independent asylum support adjudicators.

.: What you can get.

Support will be paid to you in the form of vouchers, you will receive vouchers which you will change to cash at any post office. If your case has not been decided after six months, you will get an extra payment of £50 in cash. But if you or anyone in your household has medical or other special needs which cost more than you have, you should claim for them. The Home Office was looking at this scheme at the beginning of 2001, and some changes may be made to it.

.: Where you will be given to live.

If you need somewhere to live, you will be housed first on an emergency basis, usually in a hostel in London or Kent. You will then be sent ('dispersed') to another part of the country, unless you have a good reason to stay in London. Having close relatives in London won't generally be enough, but if you need special care because, for example, you have been tortured, you should be allowed to stay. If you are 'dispersed', you won't have a choice of where you go. Each part of the country has a one-stop service' which should be able to give you advice and help, and you should be put in touch with them.

If you don't want to be dispersed' you will probably only be able to get support, and not accommodation. You'll have to find somewhere to stay yourself (with friends, for example).

.: When support stops.

Your support can end in three ways.

• If your asylum application is accepted, you will be given l4 days to move out of your accommodation and find other support. The one-stop service or other local advice agency will help you with that.
• If your asylum application is rejected, you will be given time to lodge an appeal. You will carry on getting support until your appeal finishes, plus 14 days after that.
• If you leave or damage the accommodation you have been given, or if the National Asylum Support Service believes you have other money, you will no longer get support.

.: 'Hard cases'.

Because your right to support ends when your appeal ends, you might still be here legally, but not be able to receive vouchers. Your case may go on to the High Court . Or support may be ended, even though you can't leave the country. If this happens, you will not be able to claim support, but you can ask for some 'discretionary' help from the National Asylum Support Service. If your household includes children, you can get support from your local council. Otherwise, you may get nothing unless you have special medical needs.