New Refugee Status

You can find the following information on this page:
You can find up to date information and guidance regarding new refugee status via the Right to Remain toolkit:

Right to Remain

What happens when you get refugee status?
Website

Opening a bank account

You will need a bank account for reasons including Universal Credit, housing, employment and many other important aspects of life in the UK.
Banks in Luton
Recommended banks in Luton:

Metro Bank

10-20 Castle Street, Luton, LU1 3AJ
Website

Lloyds Bank

60 George Street, Luton, LU1 2BB
Website

Halifax

176-180 Bute Street Mall Arndale Centre Luton LU1 2TL
Website

HSBC

63 George Street, Luton, LU1 2AR
Website
This is only a short list of recommended banks - you should also do your own research and explore other options, for example, online banks such as Monzo and Chase.

If you do not have the correct proof of address you can try to request a proof of address letter from your GP or visit local support organisations for advice. Note GPs may charge £25+ for a GP letter. You must take your ID with you to request a GP letter.

You may be asked to complete an online application to open a bank account. If you have any issues with the process take a screenshot of the error and visit the bank branch to ask for an appointment to register for a bank account. Show them the error screenshot and explain you were unable to complete the application online.

Apply for Universal Credit

What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs.

It may include extra money to help pay for your housing costs, however, in some circumstances you may need to apply for Housing Benefit separately. You cannot get Universal Credit to help with housing costs if any of the following apply:

- you’re living in supported or sheltered housing (such as a hostel) which provides you with ‘care, support or supervision’
- you’re living in temporary accommodation arranged by your council because you’re homeless
- you’re living in a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse

Read more about this here: Housing Costs and Universal Credit
Full information about Universal Credit can be found here:

Citizens Advice: Universal Credit

Website
How to apply for Universal Credit
If you have a good understanding of English (or have a friend who can help you), feel confident completing written forms in English, and have a UK bank account, you should apply online for Universal Credit:

Universal Credit: Online Application

Online applcation
Guidance on completing the online application: Citizens Advice: Applying for Universal Credit

If you are not confident to complete the written form in English, you can apply over the phone.

Translators are available on the call and you can explain any delays you are experiencing (for example, if you are still waiting for your new BRP card or your bank account is still being processed).

Universal Credit: Phone Application

Contact 0808 278 7847 to apply for Universal Credit over the phone. Translators are available.
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday, 09.30 - 15.30
If you do not have a UK bank account yet, you can still apply for Universal Credit. Ask the advisor for help with this when you call to apply.

If you are married or will be living with your partner you must apply for a joint Universal Credit claim. To make a joint claim, you’ll both need to open separate Universal Credit accounts. To avoid system errors you should not create your account at exactly the same time as your partner. It doesn’t matter who creates their account first. When your accounts are complete you will receive a ‘Linking Code’ to connect your accounts. You will both be able to log in to your accounts separately. If you apply over the phone the advisor will help with this. If you apply online there will be guidance on how to connect your accounts.

It can take 5 weeks for your claim to be processed. If you do not receive your first payment of Universal Credit before your move to you new place to live, the council can help you to request an advance payment to get the money sooner. Make sure to ask them about this when you contact the council for housing support.

You must tell Universal Credit about any changes to your cicumstances, for example if you start paying rent, have a baby or start working. Unless you are the main carer for a young child or have a medical condition, you will usually be expected to look for work.

Child Benefit

If you have children, you should also apply for child benefit
Website

Council Tax Reduction

Once you have a property, you may be able to apply for a Council Tax Reduction
Website

Housing

There is a very short amount of time to find somewhere to live when you receive a positive decision from the Home Office.
Most adults here alone will have 42 days to apply for benefits and find somewhere to live before being evicted from Home Office accommodation

The below groups should still have 56 days before being evicted:

- Families
- Pregnant women
- People aged 65 or older
- People with a disability (this is defined in the Equality Act 2010 and means a physical or mental condition that has a substantial, long-term impact on daily life) you may need to present medical evidence for this.

There are three main options for housing once you recieve your status:

Housing provided with the support of Luton Council

Private rented accomodation

Supported accomodation

You can move to anywhere in the UK but it is much easier if you have friends or family who can help you find somewhere to live, and/or can find a room, flat or house somewhere privately by yourself.
Housing provided with the support of Luton Council
If you do not have connections in the UK and you cannot find somewhere by yourself you will have less choice over where you live. You should contact Luton Council for help today:

Luton Council: I am homeless today

Click on the green button which says 'Housing advice enquiry form'
Luton Council: I am homeless today
When you complete the form on the Luton Council website, you will get a reference number, keep this number somewhere safe as you will need it for future interactions with the council.

If you need help with completing this form please contact Luton Council on 01582 510371.

If you cannot complete the form online, you should visit Luton Council at the Town Hall, and bring your paperwork with you.

Luton Council Homeless Prevention Team

homelessprevention@luton.gov.uk

Luton Council Homeless Prevention Team

01582 546630

Town Hall, Luton Borough Council, George Street, Luton, LU1 2BQ

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 09:00-17:00 and Wednesday: 10:00-17:00
  • If you have to visit the council, make sure you bring your paperwork to bring with you:
  • Refugee or Humanitarian Protection Status letter or email
  • Your eVisa information, BRP and ARC ID Cards
  • Eviction notice
  • Bank statements
  • Proof of Universal Credit
  • Evidence of any medical conditions
  • Pen and paper
It is extremely unlikely you will get a house or flat within Luton through the council. The Council has a strict priority list for housing and waiting list for council housing in Luton is 5+ years long. There is a shortage of accommodation through the council and they prioritise support for people that meet their criteria.
If you are pregnant, have young children or medical conditions, or are 16-17 years old, you may be considered "priority need".

The council may find you temporary accommodation and then help you to find somewhere more long term (this may not be in Luton).

You can read the more about the council's full list of priority need criteria and temporary housing here
The locations offered for long term accommodation may not be close to Luton and could be anywhere in the UK. If you decline an accommodation offer from the council without strong evidence there is no guarantee another offer will be made. Even with evidence it is at the councils discretion to accept or reject the reason you declined.

You can apply for council housing in multiple areas at the same time and you can join more than one waiting list. Councils will give faster help to people who already have a connection to the area, for example if you have close family (mother, father, sister, brother) living there or you have lived in the area before (for 1 year or more).

More info here: Shelter: Housing Advice

If you do not meet the councils priority criteria your options for housing are limited to the Private Rented Sector or Supported Accommodation. Read more below.
Private rented accomodation
If you are living in the UK alone it is recommended you consider looking for somewhere to live in the Private Rented Sector. You must be prepared to manage parts of the process but you can ask for help from Luton Council and local housing charities.

The process of finding privately rented accommodation will include:
  • Searching for and viewing properties
  • Understanding and signing tenancy agreements and contracts
  • Paying rent, security deposits and potentially other fees
  • Applying for benefits to cover housing costs (through Universal Credit or Housing Benefit)
  • Applying for a Council Tax Reduction if eligible
You can search for private rented accomodation using these websites:

http://www.dssmove.co.uk/
http://www.spareroom.co.uk
http://loot.com/category/property/rooms-shares/
http://www.rightmove.co.uk
http://property.adzuna.co.uk/to-rent
http://www.zoopla.co.uk/to-rent/
https://homes.trovit.co.uk/
http://www.benefithousing.co.uk/london/
https://www.openrent.co.uk/properties-to-rent/

Money towards rent costs

Understand how much financial support you may be given towards rent costs
Direct Gov Calculator

Search for grants

Use this website to search for grants and money to support living costs
Turn2Us

Guidance on private renting in the UK

Shelter: Private Renting

How to find somewhere to rent

Guidance provided by Luton Council
Luton Council Guide
You will need to pay a deposit to secure your accommodation. Deposits are usually 4-5 weeks of rent plus a security deposit paid in advance before you can move into your property. It is illegal for landlords to request more than 5 weeks rent deposit.

Get help from Luton Council to pay a deposit

Luton Council rent deposit scheme

Apply for a Refugee Integration Loan

Refugee Integration Loan
Supported accomodation and other advice
You contact the below specialist organisations for further guidance and support. You can also refer yourself to some of the below organisations for housing support.
Luton Council
NOAH Enterprise
Signposts
Mary Seacole
Squared
Green Bridge Community Housing
Keystage Housing
Impakt Housing
Amicus Housing
Shelter
Refugees at Home
Room for Refugees
Homeless Link
Refgee Council Renting Scheme

Finding a job

When you register for Universal Credit you may be expected to find a job very soon after your benefits are approved.

To find a job in the UK you will need a CV (resume) and an understanding of the UK employment process.

You can get support from the below organisations for help, these organisations support those with refugee status and people in the asylum system that have permission to work.

Thrive Hub Luton

Help to create a CV, apply for jobs and much more.
Click here for contact details

NOAH Enterprise: CV Support

Visit NOAH for help to create a CV. Every Wednesday 13:00-15:00 Location: 141 Park Street, LU1 3HG
Click here

Luton Adult Learning

Location: Floor 2, Adult Learning, Arndale House, The Point, LU1 2LJ. Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday: 09:00 to 17:00 / Friday 09:00 to 16:00. Phone: 01582 490033
Website
Job search websites
You can search for job vacancies in the UK using the websites below. This is a short list of examples.

https://uk.indeed.com/

https://www.reed.co.uk/

https://www.monster.co.uk/

https://www.totaljobs.com/

Family Reunification

This service is only available if you have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK.
If you are still navigating the UK asylum system, you cannot apply for family members to join you in the UK.
Contact the organisations below who can support you with the application and associated processes.

University of Bedfordshire

Refugee Legal Assistance Project (RLAP)
Get help to apply for Family Reunion

British Red Cross

Family reunion for refugees
Learn more about the reunion process

Salvation Army

Family tracing
Website
info@thecourtneyfoundation.org
Registered charity number: 1187689 (England and Wales)
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In memory of Gillian Llewellyn, daughter of Josie Courtney