Individuals and families seeking asylum are among the many groups subject to the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) condition during their stay in the UK. This means they cannot access “public funds” such as Universal Credit or Homelessness Assistance.
The majority of people seeking asylum are also effectively banned from working, except in very limited circumstances. This combination of restricted access to employment and to public funds, leads many down a path marked by destitution and insecurity.
However, the UK government is required to provide accommodation and financial support to prevent asylum seekers from becoming destitute under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (Sections 4, 95 and 98). This support is not classified as a public fund and is administered by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).
You can apply for that support by contacting Migrant Help. The Home Office pays Migrant Help to assist people seeking asylum who are in need of support from . They can help those who are destitute apply for accommodation and financial support, and report issues with their asylum accommodation.
You can call them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0808 8010 503. It is free to call them. You should ask for an interpreter if you do not feel confident conversing in English.
To learn more about the relationship between NRPF and asylum please see our NRPF and Asylum page.
See below for a variety of resources that may help people seeking asylum.
The Asylum and Refugee Coalition (AARC) provides essential services, including legal assistance, housing guidance, access to healthcare, and educational resources, to support refugees and people seeking asylum in rebuilding stable lives and combat dis/misinformation
AARC also offer a variety of Volunteering Opportunities that help connect service users with the local community.
You can reach them in the following ways:
This guide is for any young person who has been told they are over 18, when they know they are younger. It explains what an age assessment is, your rights, and how to challenge a decision.
Written by the Youth Support Collective, a group of young people who have been through the process themselves, supported by the Refugee Council and other English third-sector partners.
You can contact the Refugee Council in the following ways
This toolkit provides guidance and templates for anyone supporting a refugee or asylum-seeking young person whose age has been disputed or deemed adult. It is designed to help practitioners understand the age assessment process and advocate effectively for the child.
The toolkit includes guidance, templates and resources all designed to assist the age assessment process. Refugee Council produced it in collaboration with several third-sector partners based in England; there may be small discrepancies for practitioners in Scotland as a result.
You can contact the Refugee Council in the following ways
This guide from the Coram Children’s Legal Centre (CCLC) provides essential information for individuals who need to appeal against an asylum or immigration decision but do not have legal representation. This resource was published in April 2024.
Coram CLC strongly recommends seeking professional legal advice and notes that this information is not a substitute for specific legal advice about your case.
You can reach Coram CLC in the following ways:
Guardianship Scotland is the national service providing Independent support to all unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, victims of trafficking, and children vulnerable to trafficking who arrive in Scotland. It is delivered in partnership by Aberlour and the Scottish Refugee Council on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Young people remain eligible for support until three months after they have either been granted leave to remain or have received a conclusive grounds trafficking decision and are over 18.
You can get in touch with Guardianship Scotland in the following ways:
This document is designed to provide vital information to help asylum seekers understand life in the UK; it covers the following key areas: UK culture and law, health and welfare services and staying safe and getting support.
This guide was published on 2 October 2019,meaning some information may be outdated. It is always best to confirm details with a legal advisor or a support organisation.
It is available in: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, Kurdish, Pashto, Punjabi, Tigrinya and Urdu
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) works towards a society in which people can live safely and are treated with equal dignity and respect, regardless of where they are from or how they came to the UK.
JCWI operate a free and confidential Irregular Migrants Helpine which provides legal advice to those in the UK without status
You can reach them in the following ways:
Migrant Help provides free, independent, and confidential advice to asylum seekers in the UK, guiding them through the asylum process. They operate a 24/7 national helpline and offer practical support with issues such as accommodation, financial assistance, and access to healthcare, and can signpost to other essential services.
If you are contacting Migrant Help on behalf of an asylum seeker, please include a signed consent form and your own contact details.
You can reach them in the following ways:
The Scottish Refugee Council operates a free, confidential telephone advice line providing information and guidance on refugee and asylum issues in Scotland. Their advisors can explain your rights and help connect you with available local services and support.
You can reach them in the following ways:
This is a comprehensive, multilingual guide for individuals in Scotland whose asylum claims have been refused and who have reached ‘appeal rights exhausted’ status.
The guide explains the legal definition, outlines rights and entitlements following refusal, and lists steps to take to support oneself once the Home Office ceases support.
This resource is hosted by the Scottish Refugee Council. You can reach them in the following ways:
This guide provides information for pregnant people seeking asylum in Scotland about the healthcare and financial support available to them.
It explains that all maternity care from the NHS, including midwife appointments, scans, hospital delivery, and postnatal support, is free and continues even if an asylum claim has been refused.
The guide also outlines the extra weekly payments for those receiving asylum support, including amounts for pregnancy and for children under three, as well as a one‑off £300 maternity payment per baby.
This resource is hosted by the Scottish Refugee Council. You can reach them in the following ways
The guide is intended for people seeking asylum and those awaiting a decision, providing general information on what asylum is, how to apply through the UK Home Office, and key terms.
It offers information only, not legal advice, and is available in multiple languages through the website’s translation function.
This resource is hosted by the Scottish Refugee Council. You can reach them in the following ways:
This service provides practical advice and support for destitute people in Scotland who have had an asylum claim rejected and consequently have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).
Expert advisers help individuals understand their rights and entitlements, and link service users with relevant parties like lawyers and charities
You can access the service in the following ways:
YAHYA’s Hub provides social and practical support for unaccompanied young asylum seekers and refugees in Aberdeen. It organises group activities, fun events, and workshops in a friendly, non-judgmental environment to reduce isolation and boredom, thereby improving wellbeing, boosting confidence, and supporting community integration.
You can reach them in the following ways: