You may be able to claim compensation if you suffered losses because you could not show that you had a right to live in the UK. ‘Losses’ can be things like not being able to work, find a place to live or get health treatment. They can also include immigration action, like detention or removal from the UK. Who can apply You can apply if: you came to the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1973 your parents or grandparents came to the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1973 you came to the UK from any country before 31 December 1988 and are now settled here You can also apply if you are: the close family member of someone eligible to claim and you have had significant losses yourself representing the estate of someone who would have been eligible There is a different way to apply for a document that shows your right to live in the UK . Losses you can claim for You might be able to get compensation for losses relating to: employment immigration fees housing health education driving licences banking daily life - for example, you missed major family events or could not travel detention and removal living costs - for example, rent, utilities, contributions towards food and household essentials, travel and prescription fees Your privacy If you apply, the information you share will not be used for immigration enforcement. Read the Windrush Compensation Scheme’s privacy policy for more details .

You can apply for the scheme if: you’ve had losses because you could not prove your right to stay in the UK you’ve had losses because you’re the partner, child, brother, sister or parent of someone who could not prove their right to stay in the UK you represent the estate of someone who had losses because they could not prove their right to stay in the UK If you are applying for yourself (a ‘primary claimant’) You can apply if one of the following is true: you came to the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1973 your parents or grandparents came to the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1973 you came to the UK from any country before 31 December 1988 and are now settled here You’ll need to show that you suffered losses because you could not prove your right to stay in the UK. Read Primary claimant: Windrush compensation claim guidance for details of the evidence you will need to provide. If you are applying as a close family member You must show that you experienced a loss because a close family member could not prove that they had a right to live in the UK. The family member must be your partner, parent, child, brother or sister. They do not need to have made a claim, but they must be or have been eligible. Read Close family member: Windrush compensation claim guidance for details of the evidence you will need to provide. If you are under 18, you need a parent or guardian to submit the claim on your behalf. If you are applying as representative of an estate You must show that the person who died: would have been eligible for the scheme as a primary claimant suffered losses because they were unable to prove that they had a right to live in the UK. Read Representative of an estate: Windrush compensation claim guidance for details of the evidence you will need to provide. You can get support if you do not currently have the legal right to deal with someone’s estate (probate) . This includes help applying for probate and financial help, for example with legal costs up to £1,500.

You can apply by email or by post. The form and the guidance tell you where to send your completed application. There are separate forms and guidance for each kind of claim. If you are applying for yourself (a ‘primary claimant’) Apply using Primary claimant: Windrush compensation claim form . If you are applying as a close family member Apply using Close family member: Windrush compensation claim form . If you are applying as representative of an estate Apply using Representative of an estate: Windrush compensation claim form . If you need help to claim The Windrush help team can: post a form to you - there’s usually a limit of 10 forms per person help you work out if you’re eligible give extra support to those who need it - for example, elderly or vulnerable claimants If you are outside the UK, you can: call the help team send an email and request a call back send an email and request an email reply You may be charged for making or receiving a call - check the exact cost with your phone network provider. Windrush help team windrushcompensationscheme@homeoffice.gov.uk Telephone: 0800 678 1925 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (except bank holidays ) Find out about call charges Christmas and New Year opening hours Date Opening times Tuesday 24 December 2024 9am to 3pm Wednesday 25 December 2024 Closed Thursday 26 December 2024 Closed Friday 27 December 2024 9am to 3pm Monday 30 December 2024 9am to 3pm Tuesday 31 December 2024 9am to 3pm Wednesday 1 January 2025 Closed If you need help filling in the application form You can contact We Are Group if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have internet access We Are Group Telephone: 0808 196 8496 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Find out about call charges

You will be contacted to confirm that your claim has been received. You will get a letter offering you compensation if you are successful. You must write back to accept the offer. Receiving the payment After you’ve accepted the offer, the money will be paid into your bank account. If you live overseas, the money will be paid into your bank account using an international bank transfer. If you are unhappy with the offer If you are unhappy about the compensation decision, you can ask for a review. If you are not satisfied with the result of this review, you can ask for an independent adjudicator to look at it.

Apply to the Windrush Compensation Scheme

Overview

You may be able to claim compensation if you suffered losses because you could not show that you had a right to live in the UK.

‘Losses’ can be things like not being able to work, find a place to live or get health treatment. They can also include immigration action, like detention or removal from the UK.

Who can apply

You can apply if:

you came to the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1973
your parents or grandparents came to the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1973
you came to the UK from any country before 31 December 1988 and are now settled here

You can also apply if you are:

the close family member of someone eligible to claim and you have had significant losses yourself
representing the estate of someone who would have been eligible

There is a different way to apply for a document that shows your right to live in the UK.

Losses you can claim for

You might be able to get compensation for losses relating to:

employment
immigration fees
housing
health
education
driving licences
banking
daily life - for example, you missed major family events or could not travel
detention and removal
living costs - for example, rent, utilities, contributions towards food and household essentials, travel and prescription fees

Your privacy

If you apply, the information you share will not be used for immigration enforcement. Read the Windrush Compensation Scheme’s privacy policy for more details.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Apply to the Windrush Compensation Scheme

Overview

Who can apply

Losses you can claim for

Your privacy

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Apply to the Windrush Compensation Scheme

Overview

Who can apply

Losses you can claim for

Your privacy

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