Asylum and Immigration
Support for people seeking asylum
If you have claimed asylum and are awaiting a decision you can apply for financial support and housing from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) which is part of the Home Office, a department of UK Government. UKVI are responsible for making a decision on your asylum claim and providing you with accommodation and financial support while you are waiting.
Migrant Help is a national service, funded by UKVI, providing free, independent advice and guidance to asylum seekers to help make claims for support and give general advice about the asylum process. You will need to contact them to make a claim for asylum support in the first instance, please visit Migrant Help or call 0808 8010 503. Calls are free, open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week all year round. This service is accessible to all asylum seekers in the UK. https://www.migranthelpuk.org/
If you have no other means of support you will be provided with accommodation on a ‘no choice’ basis by one of UKVI’s contracted accommodation providers; in Tameside the housing provider is SERCO. They are responsible for your accommodation. Please contact Migrant Help to report any problems with your asylum accommodation, and they will liaise with the accommodation provider on your behalf to address these.
Support after a decision on your asylum claim
If you have had a positive decision on your asylum claim and have received refugee leave or some other form of leave to remain, then you will be required to leave your asylum accommodation. You should receive a notice to quit, which provides you with 28 days’ notice in writing and details the date you must vacate your accommodation.
Upon receiving your positive decision letter from the Home Office. It is important that you begin to take steps to ensure that you have the necessary support in place prior to the end of the 28-day grace period. You may require support with the following;
- Opening a bank account
- Housing Advice
- Applying for the benefits you may be entitled to
- Finding out about local community groups
- Advice and support with education, training and employment opportunities
If you require assistance with the steps required to move on from your accommodation, you can visit the British Red Cross Drop in at The Church of Nazarene, Stamford Street Central, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7LJ. The drop in takes place of Thursdays between 10-2pm (Term time Only)
Alternatively, you can contact our migration team by emailing laaslosupport@tameside.gov.uk
If you have no alternate accommodation after you need to vacate your current accommodation, you or someone supporting you can refer you to Tameside Housing Advice for advice and an assessment. You should contact this service prior to becoming homeless.
Your circumstances will be assessed and depending on what decision is made, they may either have a duty to provide you with housing, OR a duty to give you advice to help you to find your own housing. Tameside Housing Advice can advise you on temporary and or shared accommodation if you have nowhere to live after you leave your current housing. You will receive all housing options available to you. Alternate accommodation is not guaranteed for all.
Please visit Tameside Homeless Service - Tameside MBC where you will find advice, guidance and the link to the referral form. Once your referral form has been completed, an experienced officer will assess the information provided and contact you with further advice where required or arrange an appointment for an assessment. Please be prepared to provide your documents on request.
Tameside Housing Advice- 119-125 Old Street Ashton -under -Lyne OL6 7RL
Telephone: 0161 342 2700
