Asylum seeker

An asylum seeker is someone who has left their own country and is seeking protection in the UK. Under current legislation the council does not have any responsibility for providing housing or financial assistance to asylum seekers.  This is the  responsibility of the UK Border  Agency

Refugee

A refugee is someone who has been given leave to remain in the UK after leaving their home country.

Refugees are entitled to live and work in the UK and to seek advice and housing  from the council and housing associations.

Eligibility for assistance 

The housing legislation requires the council to determine  a persons eligibility for assistance when considering a homeless claim.  Eligibility is concerned  with immigration status. 

Broadly speaking, persons subject to immigration control e.g asylum seekers are not eligible for assistance. To make a decision on the sometimes complex situations people are in, we need to have access to the documentation which confirms  immigration status.

Date Updated: 05/05/09