Asylum Support Services And Advice
If you are an asylum seeker in need of accommodation and financial support then there are three types of support available to you. It is important to know the differences between them so you know which one applies to your circumstances.
If you are making an asylum application, an appeal, or a request for bail from detention, then our team of expert immigration lawyers here at Birmingham Immigration Lawyers will be able to help. Just call 0121 667 6530 or contact us online.
The Importance Of Getting Support For Your Asylum
By the end of March 2021, 50,084 people were waiting longer than 6 months for a decision on their asylum application. This is particularly difficult for those who have limited means when it comes to accommodation and finances. To help with this issue, the government supplies a package of support for asylum seekers and this is split into three ‘sections’ depending on the various stages of the asylum application process.
Section 95 provides accommodation somewhere in the UK and gives you a weekly stipend on an ‘ASPEN’ card. The base rate is £47.39 per person with an addition of:
- £3 for pregnant mothers
- £5 for babies under 1 year old
- £3 for children aged between 1 and 3
If you have accommodation and only need financial support then there is a subsistence-only version of Section 95 which will be applicable for you.
However, it can take a while for your Section 95 support to be processed and you might need assistance immediately. In this case, there is the same financial and accommodation help available on a very short-term basis under Section 98 support while you wait for a decision on your Section 95 application. This is available to both regular and subsistence-only Section 95 applicants.
The last type of asylum support is for anybody whose asylum application has been denied and who is waiting to leave the country. This is called Section 4 asylum support and, like the previous two, it is for both accommodation and finances. However, you must be able to demonstrate you are taking steps toward leaving the UK.
If you need help with asylum support then there are asylum helplines that are open Monday to Friday to provide advice and assistance. Migrant Help is available at 0808 801 0503 the Children’s Panel on 020 7346 1134.
These are used if you have just arrived in the UK, if a decision has been made on your application, or if you are building a new life in the UK after a claim has been accepted. Generally, they are used for housing issues, financial support, finding out about English classes, finding legal representation, and if you are the witness or victim of a crime.
"We used this service for the spouse visa extension application to assure that all the information was valid and correct."
Nabil Anwar
Posted 3 years ago
"Thanking you so much for helping me and my wife live together for now and the distant future. We are grateful for your help and patience. "
Shamrez Ali
Posted 3 years ago
"Thank you for the hassle free application, i have just received my marriage visa approval letter and my husband and i are over the moon and stress free."
Hira Ali Munir
Posted 3 years ago
The Services Birmingham Immigration Lawyers Offer That Can Help You
You can also get in touch with us here at Birmingham Immigration Lawyers and asylum support is not the only thing we can help you with. Our services also span applications, appeals, and detainee paperwork.
Asylum Application
There are many components to asylum applications. There is a broad range of documents you will require, numerous eligibility requirements you will need to meet, and various steps like screenings and interviews to go through.
Asylum applications are currently backlogged so it is even more important that you get it right the first time because there are such long waits for decisions. Using our legal services will ensure your application is robust and thorough, increasing the likelihood of a positive outcome.
Asylum Appeal
If your asylum claim has been denied by the Home Office then you may want to appeal the decision and try to get a different outcome. You will not be made to leave the country while you do this.
Asylum appeals will generally require evidence to show ‘compassionate grounds’ like letters from a doctor. You will also need to explain why your case needs to be heard urgently. You can choose to represent yourself but most appeals are conducted by trained professionals like ourselves.
Detained Paperwork
There are a whole range of reasons why you might have been detained, from denied asylum claims to visa expirations and criminality. If you have been detained for more than 7 days, you can submit a bail application along with a 401 form to request bail.
To increase your chances of being granted bail, however, it is best you ask one of our immigration lawyers to fill out the paperwork on your behalf.
Regardless of whether it is claiming, appealing, asking for bail, or applying for support, asylum is a complicated and overwhelming process. At Birmingham Immigration Lawyers, we understand the stress involved and our trained experts will be able to help with any issues or queries.
In addition to asylum, our services also include work visas, citizenship problems, and permissions to work. If you have questions about any of these areas or want to discuss your asylum with one of our lawyers then call 0121 667 6530 or get in touch online.
Last modified on November 14th, 2023 at 10:50 am
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under sections 98, 95, and 4, asylum seekers have access to free accommodation which can be anywhere in the UK, as well as financial assistance on an ‘ASPEN’ card.
Unless specifically exempt, asylum seekers are not permitted to work in the UK whilst awaiting a decision on their asylum application.
Your asylum claim will be declared ‘inadmissible’ if you have a reasonable connection to a ‘safe third country’.