Guidance

Claiming Universal Credit and other benefits if you are a refugee

Updated 23 January 2024

Asylum support can provide you with housing and money to support you and your family while you’re waiting to find out if you’ll be granted refugee status.

Your asylum support will usually stop 28 days after your biometric residence permit (BRP) has been issued.

As soon as you’re granted refugee status, you should:

• apply for benefits
• get a bank account
• arrange your housing

About the DWP

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is a government department that helps people find work and claim benefits.

Jobcentres

A jobcentre is a government office providing information and advice about jobs. It’s also involved in the administration of benefits. A jobcentre is part of DWP.

Migrant Help

Migrant Help give advice and guidance to asylum seekers and refugees.

If you have refugee status, Migrant Help will contact you to give advice on:

• getting a job
• applying for benefits
• how to get help with housing

If you have not been contacted within 2 days of getting your refugee status, you can contact Jobcentre Plus.

Apply for benefits

If you have refugee status you can apply for benefits. A benefit provides financial support:

• if you are unemployed and looking for work
• if you are on a low income
• if you are bringing up children
• when you retire
• if you care for someone
• if you are ill or have a disability

There may be a gap between your asylum support ending and your first benefit payment. If you do not have enough to live on while you wait for your first payment, you may be able to get an advance on your first benefit payment.

National Insurance (NI) number

Your NI number will be on the back of your biometric residence permit (BRP) and looks like this: QQ123456A.

If there is no NI number on your BRP, contact the Home Office immediately.

You do not need a NI number for your benefits claim to be made but if you do not have a NI number you need to tell DWP at the start of your claim. DWP will tell you how to apply for a NI number as part of your claim for benefits.

Information you’ll need to claim benefits

You will need the following information:

• name
• address
• date of birth
• bank details (you can still claim if you do not have a bank account)
• mobile phone number
• email address
• details of where you live

How to claim

You can apply for benefits online. Which benefits you apply for will depend on your circumstances. Most people of working age will apply for Universal Credit.

To apply for Universal Credit, submit your claim online.

If you’re unable to use the online service to apply, you can contact the Universal Credit helpline.

Pension Credit is a weekly payment from the government that you receive when you reach UK State Pension age. You can apply for Pension Credit online, by phone or by post.

Calls are free from a land line and usually free from a mobile phone.

If you need one, you can ask for an interpreter when you call.

At the jobcentre

If you start to claim benefits you will be assigned a ‘work coach’. They will support and help you into work by providing personalised advice using their knowledge of local work opportunities.

You may need to agree a ‘claimant commitment’. This is an agreement between you and your work coach. It sets out what you have agreed to do to prepare for and look for work, or to increase your earnings if you’re already working. It is based on your personal circumstances and your benefits may be cut if you do not do what you have agreed to do.

Get a bank account

You can set up a bank account to get benefit payments and money from work.

Bank accounts are free to open.

You’ll need to show documents proving your identity, immigration status and address.

Different banks ask for different documents, but you’re likely to need:

• a photographic identity document, for example BRP or driving licence
• proof of address, for example official letters from the Home Office, your doctor, or bills with your name on

If you’re not able to open a bank account, consider opening an alternative account, such as a credit union account or alternative online banking services. These accounts may charge a small fee.

Always keep your bank information safe and secure, including passwords and Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Arrange your housing

If you’re living in asylum support accommodation, you will usually need to move out 28 days after getting your asylum decision.

You’ll get a letter from the Home Office or your accommodation provider confirming the exact date you’ll need to leave your accommodation by.

Local council housing

You should contact your local council (also known as ‘local authority’) housing department for advice as soon as possible if you need help finding somewhere to live.

They’ll have a housing office where you can get advice. You can find their phone number on the local authority website.

Local authorities have a legal duty to help you find accommodation.

They may provide you with accommodation to stop you becoming homeless or help you to find private rented housing.

It is important to tell them if you have any health problems or any special reasons why you need to live in a particular area, so they can assess what kind of accommodation you need.

For more information contact your local council.

Social housing

Social housing is for people on a low income and is offered at affordable rent.

In the UK there’s a very high demand (especially in London) for social housing and it can be difficult to get. It is usually provided by local authorities or by local housing associations.

Private rented housing

Renting from a private landlord is often the only option available, especially if you’re single or a couple without children.

You can look on the internet or in local newspapers, shop windows and notice boards, or you can find private accommodation through a letting agency.

Paying your rent

Private landlords will ask for a rent deposit in advance (up to a maximum of 5 weeks rent) in case you fail to pay the rent. They may also ask for the first month’s rent in advance.

Your landlord must put your deposit into a tenancy deposit protection scheme. You’ll get this back at the end of the tenancy provided you have looked after the property.

You’ll need to pay your rent directly to your landlord (for both social or private rented housing).

When you apply for benefits you may get an amount towards your rent. This is usually paid directly to you, so you’ll need to pay it to your landlord.

Integration loans

If you’re over 18 you can apply for a refugee integration loan.

Integration loans may be used to pay for things like:

• a rent deposit or rent for housing
• household items
• education and training for work

You must provide your NI number.

You’ll also need to provide photocopies of documents including:

• your BRP, immigration status document or passport
• a bank statement or letter confirming your bank details

Go to the integration loan form and guidance.