Screening interview
The first interview that takes place after claiming asylum – where basic information will be taken. It used to be the case that people would claim asylum and have their screening interview very soon afterwards. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case due to backlog in decision making. Most people are waiting many months, and even over a year, for their screening interview.
Section 95 Asylum support
Accommodation and cash support whilst asylum application in in process. Cash allowance per person weekly, additional allowances for children under 3 and pregnant people. Amount of cash received each week depends on accommodation type (£47.39 if full board or £9.58 in self-catering). Accommodation is provided on NO CHOICE basis - may be moved to anywhere in the UK. Accommodation may be a hotel (or other institutional accommodation site) or a room in a house. In practice may be same accommodation whilst being supported under s98. May apply for 'cash only' Section 95 if have access to accommodation via friends/family. Cash support is paid through a card called an ASPEN card. This can be used like a debit card, to withdraw money from cash machines or to pay for items in shops.
Application for Section 95 made via Migrant Help.
Substantive Interview
The 'big interview' in the asylum process when a Home Office interviewer will ask in detail about your reasons for claiming asylum in the UK. It can be a very long and difficult interview. The substantive interview could be the most important part of an asylum application. Unfortunately, delays are common, leaving some people waiting up to 1 or 2 years before date for substantive interview. This is due to backlog in decision making within the Home Office.
Make asylum claim
May be made on arrival at port or ‘in-country’ by calling the Asylum Intake Unit (AIU) in Croydon to make an appointment for screening interview.
The 'Move On' Period
Refugees may access public funds to support with the transition during the 'move on' period. Public funds are a range of social security benefits, tax credits or housing assistance that are paid by the state to people on a low income. Includes Universal Credit and local authority homeless assistance. Asylum Support will end 28 days after the date grant letter from Home Office. In practice this means newly granted refugees may experience barriers in accessing accommodation and financial support. In some cases. individuals may only be given only 7 days 'notice to quit' their asylum support accommodaiton.
Fresh Claim
Submitting new evidence to the Home Office to ask for a new decision on your asylum claim in the UK. The fresh claim must be new and relevant information. It may reinforce a part of the original claim, or it could be new information that has not been considered before, such as a change in circumstances. Legal advice is always recommended before making any new submission to the Home Office as evidence can only be submitted once.
Initial Accommodation
(Section 98)
Emergency destitution support for asylum seekers - whilst application for asylum support is considered. Application must be made via Migrant Help. Decision on whether to provide support is made on the same day (should be made before 3pm) and, if granted, will travel to accommodation on same day. Will be picked up by Home Office contracted provider at agreed meeting point, such as police station, this may be out of hours. Accommodation in Initial accommodation centres or in hotel - accommodation is full board (meals provided), no cash given.
Refused asylum seeker
An individual at this stage is at risk of detention and removal. The Home Office expect them to be taking all reasonable steps to leave the country. In practice, it is not safe or pratical for many refused asylum seekers to return home. For exampe they may still face percectution in their country of origin, or they may have a serious health condition or unable to get the documents that they need to travel.
Destitution
Unable to work or to access public funds. Many refused aslyum seekers without children find themselves destitute in the UK with no means to support themselves. Vulnerable to rough sleeping and exploitation, they must rely on charitable support to meet their essential living needs. These may include night shelters and food banks. If a refused asylum seeker is able to prove that there is a barrier to return, such as a serious health condition or an outstanding applicaiton to the Home Office, they may be able to apply for accommodaiton and financial support from the Home Office. This is called Section 4 support, and is provided on similar basis to asyum support. If an asylum seeker had child dependants during the asylum process, the asyum suport will not be terminated if their claim is refused.
Proving destitution
A person applying for support will be considered destitute if they do not have access to ‘adequate accommodation’ or they cannot meet their ‘essential living needs’ now or within the next 14 days. It is important to note that to show that they are destitute, the person does not need to show that they are currently street homeless. As part of application the person may be asked to provide evidence of how they been supporting themselves if they have been in the UK some time, this may be letters from charities or individuals that have been providing support. The Home Office will also do financial checks within the UK.
Help when support is refused
A refugee support caseworker may be able to assist in gathering evidence for an asylum support application if there is a complex financial history. It may also be possible to challenge the refusal of the Home Office to provide support.
Appeal
A request for an independent judge (separate from Home Office) at the Immigration and Asylum tribunal to review the decision of the Home Office. It is possible that the judge may decide to overturn the Home Office refusal and grant leave to remain based on refugee protection rights and human rights legislation. Alternatively, the judge may uphold the refusal of the claim.
Asylum Journey map
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Created on September 5, 2023
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Transcript
Screening interview
The first interview that takes place after claiming asylum – where basic information will be taken. It used to be the case that people would claim asylum and have their screening interview very soon afterwards. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case due to backlog in decision making. Most people are waiting many months, and even over a year, for their screening interview.
Section 95 Asylum support
Accommodation and cash support whilst asylum application in in process. Cash allowance per person weekly, additional allowances for children under 3 and pregnant people. Amount of cash received each week depends on accommodation type (£47.39 if full board or £9.58 in self-catering). Accommodation is provided on NO CHOICE basis - may be moved to anywhere in the UK. Accommodation may be a hotel (or other institutional accommodation site) or a room in a house. In practice may be same accommodation whilst being supported under s98. May apply for 'cash only' Section 95 if have access to accommodation via friends/family. Cash support is paid through a card called an ASPEN card. This can be used like a debit card, to withdraw money from cash machines or to pay for items in shops. Application for Section 95 made via Migrant Help.
Substantive Interview
The 'big interview' in the asylum process when a Home Office interviewer will ask in detail about your reasons for claiming asylum in the UK. It can be a very long and difficult interview. The substantive interview could be the most important part of an asylum application. Unfortunately, delays are common, leaving some people waiting up to 1 or 2 years before date for substantive interview. This is due to backlog in decision making within the Home Office.
Make asylum claim
May be made on arrival at port or ‘in-country’ by calling the Asylum Intake Unit (AIU) in Croydon to make an appointment for screening interview.
The 'Move On' Period
Refugees may access public funds to support with the transition during the 'move on' period. Public funds are a range of social security benefits, tax credits or housing assistance that are paid by the state to people on a low income. Includes Universal Credit and local authority homeless assistance. Asylum Support will end 28 days after the date grant letter from Home Office. In practice this means newly granted refugees may experience barriers in accessing accommodation and financial support. In some cases. individuals may only be given only 7 days 'notice to quit' their asylum support accommodaiton.
Fresh Claim
Submitting new evidence to the Home Office to ask for a new decision on your asylum claim in the UK. The fresh claim must be new and relevant information. It may reinforce a part of the original claim, or it could be new information that has not been considered before, such as a change in circumstances. Legal advice is always recommended before making any new submission to the Home Office as evidence can only be submitted once.
Initial Accommodation
(Section 98)
Emergency destitution support for asylum seekers - whilst application for asylum support is considered. Application must be made via Migrant Help. Decision on whether to provide support is made on the same day (should be made before 3pm) and, if granted, will travel to accommodation on same day. Will be picked up by Home Office contracted provider at agreed meeting point, such as police station, this may be out of hours. Accommodation in Initial accommodation centres or in hotel - accommodation is full board (meals provided), no cash given.
Refused asylum seeker
An individual at this stage is at risk of detention and removal. The Home Office expect them to be taking all reasonable steps to leave the country. In practice, it is not safe or pratical for many refused asylum seekers to return home. For exampe they may still face percectution in their country of origin, or they may have a serious health condition or unable to get the documents that they need to travel.
Destitution
Unable to work or to access public funds. Many refused aslyum seekers without children find themselves destitute in the UK with no means to support themselves. Vulnerable to rough sleeping and exploitation, they must rely on charitable support to meet their essential living needs. These may include night shelters and food banks. If a refused asylum seeker is able to prove that there is a barrier to return, such as a serious health condition or an outstanding applicaiton to the Home Office, they may be able to apply for accommodaiton and financial support from the Home Office. This is called Section 4 support, and is provided on similar basis to asyum support. If an asylum seeker had child dependants during the asylum process, the asyum suport will not be terminated if their claim is refused.
Proving destitution
A person applying for support will be considered destitute if they do not have access to ‘adequate accommodation’ or they cannot meet their ‘essential living needs’ now or within the next 14 days. It is important to note that to show that they are destitute, the person does not need to show that they are currently street homeless. As part of application the person may be asked to provide evidence of how they been supporting themselves if they have been in the UK some time, this may be letters from charities or individuals that have been providing support. The Home Office will also do financial checks within the UK.
Help when support is refused
A refugee support caseworker may be able to assist in gathering evidence for an asylum support application if there is a complex financial history. It may also be possible to challenge the refusal of the Home Office to provide support.
Appeal
A request for an independent judge (separate from Home Office) at the Immigration and Asylum tribunal to review the decision of the Home Office. It is possible that the judge may decide to overturn the Home Office refusal and grant leave to remain based on refugee protection rights and human rights legislation. Alternatively, the judge may uphold the refusal of the claim.