legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...

way of paying for accommodation. Asylum seekers who can stay with friends or relatives are free
to do so.
If a person applies to NASS for accommodation, he/she will stay in emergency housing for up to
seven days while the application for accommodation is considered. Voluntary sector agencies
acting as “Reception Assistants” will help asylum seekers to fill out the NASS application and to
find emergency accommodation. NGOs that are acting as Reception Assistants include the
Refugee Council, Scottish Refugee Council, Refugee Action, Migrant Helpline and Refugee
Arrivals Project and the Welsh Refugee Council.
NASS accommodation is located all around the UK. Due to the housing shortage in the
Southeast, asylum seekers who apply for accommodation in this region are likely to be sent
elsewhere in England, Scotland or Wales. NASS consider factors such as special health needs
and the location of close relatives, but it makes only one offer of accommodation. If an asylum
seeker does not take up that offer, no alternative housing is offered.
Asylum seekers from countries that have ratified either the Council of Europe Social Charter
(CESC) or the European Convention on Social and Medical Assistance (ECSMA) are not subject
to the new scheme and will continue to be entitled to housing benefit, provided that they have
entered the country legally (i.e. as a student or visitor).
Financial assistance
Until 3 April 2000 port applicants who had no income or capital were eligible to claim income
support at 90% of the rate available to UK claimants. The actual amount depended on age and
size of the household. Examples of the 1999/00 monthly rate are:
Single adult aged 18-24 GBP 162 EUR 278
Couple with child aged 5 GBP 493 EUR 847
Income support was means-tested. An asylum seeker who met the conditions of entitlement had
a legal right to receive benefit at the set rate. An appeal could be lodged with the appellate
authorities if income support was arbitrarily refused or reduced. In practice, according to refugeeassisting
NGOs, some asylum seekers experienced significant difficulties in receiving benefit to
which they had an entitlement.
Up to 2 April port applicants could also claim housing benefit (covering housing expenses, but not
fuel or water charges) and council tax benefit (covering local services tax). These were paid at
the same rate as for British claimants, but the actual amount varied according to: the age of the
recipient (benefit was paid at a special rate for accommodation which was not self-contained, for
under 25 years old), the size and make-up of the family, the “market rate” for accommodation in
the locality, the vulnerability of the recipient or his/her family and the amount of the rent.
Asylum seekers who were eligible for the above benefits could also apply for grants and loans for
other needs such as furniture, clothing or household items. These payments were discretionary
and, according to refugee assisting NGOs, in practice were rarely given.
Up to 2 April in-country applicants were supported by local authorities. They could be given a
mixture of vouchers, food parcels, but only a limited amount of cash (a maximum of GBP 10
[EUR 17] per person per week).
Since 3 April 2000, asylum seekers who have entered the new scheme (see “Accommodation”
above) are not able to claim welfare benefits. New applicants who need financial assistance must
apply to the National Asylum Support Service. NASS may grant support if the asylum seeker
“appears likely to become destitute within 14 days”, but no actual amounts are given. The
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United Kingdom