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Definitions
This list only gives a short explanation of some of the technical terms used in the Guide.
There are more detailed explanations in the relevant chapters.
Biometric Residence Permit – a document issued by the Home Office (UKVI) as evidence of
a person’s immigration status in the UK.
Business Services Organisation – a section of the Department of Health which provides
administrative support for health and social care services.
Civil partner – a person who is in a civil partnership. In Northern Ireland, a civil partnership
is a legally recognized civil union between two people of the same gender, which carries
almost the same rights and responsibilities as marriage.
District Council – (also known as Council, and sometimes City Council) a local authority
responsible for a city and its surroundings, or for a group of towns and their surroundings.
Habitually resident – a definition used in deciding whether people are entitled to certain
benefits. It is similar to *ordinarily resident* but it requires the decision maker to look at all
aspects of a person’s situation. Syrians arriving under the VPR Scheme will normally meet
the habitual residence test.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) – a government department responsible for
all taxes and customs, *national insurance* and some social security support called Child
Benefit and tax credits.
Home Office – a government department responsible for immigration and policing.
Humanitarian Protection – an immigration status granted to a person with a well-founded
fear of persecution or real risk of serious harm if returned to their country of origin but who
may not satisfy the conditions required for ‘refugee status’ in the UK. Humanitarian
protection is slightly different from refugee status and does not grant exactly the same
rights, the main difference being that you are not entitled to a UNHCR Refugee Travel
Document.
Indefinite leave to remain (also called settlement) – an immigration status that gives you
the right to remain in the UK long term. Applications are made to *UKVI*.
Means tested benefit – a social security benefit which depends on how low your income is.
National Insurance – a tax paid from wages and salaries in the UK which is used to finance
some *social security benefits* (see below).
National Insurance number (NINO) – a number issued by *HMRC*. You must apply for a
NINO if you intend to work in the UK and if you wish to claim *social security benefits* (see
below). If you are applying for social security benefits, the *Social Security Agency* will help
you with your NINO application.
Non-means tested benefit – a social security benefit which does not depend on how much
you earn.
Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) – the government agency responsible for
allocating government owned housing and for offering advice to homeless persons on
finding suitable accommodation.
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