Will the Asylum Seekers Unit provide me with a television and TV Licence?
No we don’t provide our clients with a television or TV licence.  However, if you have a television, you must remember to get a TV licence too.

How can I save energy in my house?

• If you are hot, turn the thermostat down - don’t just open the windows.
• Switch off lights, appliances and heating when you are leaving your house.
• Only fill kettle/pans with the amount of water you need.
• Don’t leave electrical equipment on stand by, turn them off at the wall.
• Learn how to use your heating/water control panels.
• Turn your thermostat down by one degree to save energy.
• Put on extra clothing rather than turn the heating up.
• Close the curtains after sunset.

Can I change my solicitor?
If for any reason you want to change your solicitor or if you don’t have a solicitor and you need one, you should contact the North of England Refugee Service (NERS).  Ask your Support Officer for help.

I have a negative decision and have been given a notice to quit the property (NTQ).  What do I do now?
If you receive a NTQ after a negative decision you should go to the North of England Refugee Service (NERS) for advice.

I have a positive decision and have been given a notice to quit the property (NTQ).  What do I do now?
If you had a NTQ after a positive decision and would like to stay in Newcastle, your Support Officer can refer you to the Refugee Move On team.  They will help you to apply for benefits and look for a new house. 

I am happy with the service provided by the Asylum Seekers Unit. How do I let you know this?
Click here to find out how you can make a compliment about our service.

I am not happy with the service provided by the Asylum Seekers Unit. How can I complain?
Click here to find out how you can make a complaint about our service.

How can I register with a doctor?
Your Support Officer should help you get registered with a doctor when you first arrive in the area.  If for some reason you have not been registered, you can either contact your Support Officer or visit your nearest GP practice.

How can I register with a dentist?
Your Support Officer should provide you with a list of dentists.  If you need any help just ask your Support Officer.

How can I register with English classes?
Opportunities to attend English classes are now restricted for people seeking asylum.  Speak to your Support Officer to find out if any classes are available for you to attend.

How can I register my child/children with the local school?
If your child/children are not registered with a local school, speak to your Support Officer.  He/she will contact the Education Welfare Officer who will visit you and make arrangements for your child/children to attend school.

Can I use my local Post Office to collect my support?
The Home Office will tell you which Post Office you can use to collect your support.  If this is not the nearest one then speak to your Support Officer.

Do I get free travel tickets?
The Home Office will fund any travel expenses when you attend an interview, hearing or appeal arranged by them.  Once you receive an appointment letter from the Home Office, visit the North of England Refugee Service (NERS) or speak to your Support Officer to help you get tickets.  The Home Office will not pay any travel expenses when you go for your screening interview.  You should visit the North of England Refugee Service (NERS) or speak to your Support Officer for advice. 

The Home Office will not refund any travel expenses when you travel to see your solicitor.  Sometimes your solicitor can give you a refund and you need to speak to them about this. 

If you or your children travel more than three miles to go to college or school, you might qualify for a travel pass.  Speak to your Support Officer, school or college for more information. 

After you have attended and paid for your travel to your first appointment at North Shields Immigration Service then the Home Office should provide you with a travel ticket or pass to attend further appointments.  You need to request this otherwise you might not receive this help.

Other frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a person seeking asylum and a refugee?
A person seeking asylum has come into this country and applied for permission to stay because of alleged risk in their home country but has not yet been granted asylum.

A refugee is someone who has been granted asylum (leave to remain) and is considered to fall under the 1951 UN Convention which Britain has signed up to.

Where do refugees come from?
In 2007 the top five nationalities of people supported by the ASU were Iranian, Zimbabwean, Iraqi, Congolese and Eritrean.  In the UK the top five nationalities were Afghani, Iranian, Zimbabwean, Chinese and Iraqi.  These are all places where there has been instability, war, civil unrest and serious abuse of human rights.

Do many people seek asylum in the UK?
Two thirds of the world’s refugees are living in developing countries, often in refugee camps. 

Africa and Asia host over 70% of the world’s refugees.  Europe looks after just 22%. Conflict in Sudan has forced four million people from their homes.  More than half a million have fled the country, mainly to neighbouring countries such as Chad.  Only 895 of those made it to the UK in 2007.

The UK is home to just 3% of the world’s refugees – 289,100 out of nearly 9.2 million world-wide.
In 2005, the UK ranked 14th in the league table of EU countries for the number of asylum applications welcomed per head of population.

How many people are there seeking asylum in Newcastle?
There is less than 1,200 people seeking asylum residing in Newcastle - that is less than 0.5% of Newcastle’s population.  The top three dispersal towns in 2007 were Birmingham (1930 people supported), Leeds (1760) and Manchester (1310).

What do people seeking asylum receive?
People seeking asylum receive a maximum of 70% of the current Income Support rates, often it is much less than this.  The following figures are the weekly amounts for the year 2009-2010.

The current rates of support for Section 95 clients are:

• Qualifying couple (married or in a civil partnership): £69.57 (69% of Income Support rates)
• Lone parent aged 18 or over: £42.16 (65% of Income Support Rates)
• Single person aged 18 or over, excluding lone parent: £35.13 (55% of Income Support Rates for those over 25 years old, 69% for those under 25)
• Person aged at least 16, but under 18 (except a member of a qualifying couple): £38.18
• Person aged under 16: £50.81

The rate for a single person aged 25 or over (excluding lone parent), where the decision to grant support was made prior to 5 October 2009 and the person reached age 25 prior to that date is £42.16. However, this rate will not be be offered to any new applicant applying for support after 5 October 2009.

People seeking asylum can not claim any other benefits that British Citizens are entitled to (e.g. disability benefit, carer’s allowance, Income Support premiums etc).  People seeking asylum are not usually allowed to work despite many of them wanting to.  If you are a woman who is pregnant or someone who has children under the age of 3 you may be entitled to receive extra money.  Ask your Support Officer for advice.

The current rates of support for Section 4 clients are £5.00 per person per day paid in vouchers only.  Both Section 95 and Section 4 clients do not have to pay for electricity, gas or water.

Why do people travel to the UK?
Many people put their fate in the hands of people traffickers and have no choice about where they end up.  Those that can choose to travel to the UK share a variety of reasons for doing so.  One reason is because of our colonial history - the fact that many countries have an historical link to the UK.  People also come here because they can either speak English, or because English is widely spoken in the world and they wish to learn it.  Another reason is that the UK has an honourable tradition of providing people refuge when they have had to flee persecution in their home countries.  Others will have family and friends in this country and wish to be reunited.  Many people experience severe hardship and even death on their journey to escape persecution.

Do people seeking asylum suffer from crime?
People seeking asylum are increasingly likely to be the victims of crime.  Incidents of racist attacks/abuse against people seeking asylum have increased significantly in the last few years and ‘Agencies against Crime and Harassment’ report a 27% increase in reported racist incidents.  For many people, living with constant racist abuse has become all too commonplace.  This can and often does have a devastating impact on people’s health and ability to take part in everyday community life.

What can I do to help?
Offer a warm welcome to people from other countries arriving in your community.  Sometimes just saying ‘hello’ is a good way to get to know people.  If you want to do even more then contact us for details.