Help for asylum seekers and refugees

Some people living in the borough are not able to access most benefits and services, including Universal Credit, Child Benefit and social housing because, legally, they have 'no recourse to public funds.'

Groups that fall into this category include:

  • people on student visas
  • asylum seekers
  • refused asylum seekers
  • overstayers
  • those who entered the UK without permission

There are however, some public and support services that are available to all regardless of status, including:

Education and childcare

School places - all children can access full time primary, secondary and college education. 

Free education and childcare for two year olds - 15 hours a week on a discretionary basis; you must live in England and it depends on your household income and savings.  

Free early education and childcare for three and four year olds - 15 hours a week. All children of eligible age living in England, regardless of whether they or their parents have British citizenship or passport restrictions, are entitled to claim early education.

Free school meals - If you are eligible, you can get free school meals for children during term time.

Children and young people who are in school years Reception to Year 11 and are in receipt of benefits related to free school meals are also eligible for the Holiday Activity and Food Programme.

Learn Ealing offers support to those wanting to improve their skills or qualifications, including learning English. 

Health care

This NHS care video shows what you can access in England.

Wellbeing and emotional support provided through the Refugee Council - 'My View Children's Therapy'.  

Access to food

The Healthy Start Scheme provides eligible parents money every month to purchase healthy food for their children and access free vitamins.

There is a variety of food support available across the borough.

Support with bills

You can apply for Asylum Support from central government to help with housing and additional money for bills and food as well as maternity benefits, access to healthcare and education. Shelter have a clear guide explaining the process of applying for asylum support.

You can apply for short-term support if you have been refused asylum and are preparing to leave the UK.

Depending on your circumstances, if you have young children, you may be entitled to a Local Welfare Assistance.

Help with housing

Shelter provide detailed information about asylum housing

Support for migrant families - online tool to help migrant families get help with housing and financial support when they have no recourse to public funds (NRPF). 

If you are homeless, sleeping rough or facing a housing crisis, contact your local council housing options team to find out what help they can offer. 

More information on Ealing's housing options team

Acton Homeless Concern - a local charity with two drop-in day centres providing basic needs services and advice and support for homeless and other disadvantaged people. 

Somali Advice and Development Centre - advice and information on housing, homelessness, education and immigration and nationality. English classes. 

StreetLink - make an alert if you have seen someone sleeping rough, or if you're sleeping rough and want to find out about local support services.

Immigration advice

You can get immigration advice from an immigration adviser if you need help with getting permission to stay in the UK. Immigration advisers can help you with most things to do with immigration, including helping you to fill in the right forms and representing you at a tribunal. They do not make immigration decisions.

Check if the adviser is registered and if they charge a fee before you use them.

Find a registered immigration adviser

Ealing Advice Service - provide basic advice on housing, benefits and immigration and contact details for specialist local and national services.

Ealing Law Centre - provides legal advice in areas of housing, asylum and immigration and welfare benefits.

West London Equality Centre - provide free legal advice on immigration.

Getting online

There are a number of free initiatives to help you get online including access to free mobile data, free internet access in libraries and free digital skills courses. 

Advice on how to save energy

If you or someone you know are living in accommodation and struggling to heat your home National Energy Action could provide help. They offer a range of advice and support directly to people in need. They have also developed a series of multi-lingual information leaflets to provide advice on how to save energy.

Support from voluntary sector organisations

Afghan Association Paiwand Ltd - charity dedicated helping asylum seekers and refugees in North West London.

Breaking Barriers - offers training and support for refugees in London.

Centre for Armenian Information and Advice - for the Armenian community on housing, homelessness, benefits, employment, immigration, nationality, training, education. Health advocacy and outreach.

Ealing Advice Service - provide free advice on housing, benefits and immigration issues.

Ealing and Acton Support Enterprise (EASE) (website under development) - a local community group supporting asylum seekers and refugees to thrive in their communities. 

Ealing Law Centre - provides legal advice in areas of housing, asylum and immigration and welfare benefits.

Hope for Southall Street Homeless - provide emergency support with food, clothes and bedding and other essential items. 

REAP - Refugees in Effective & Active Partnership provides local support for asylum seekers and refugees.

Southall Black Sisters provides advice and information on domestic abuse, racial harassment, welfare and immigration, primarily for Asian, African and African Caribbean women. 

West London Equality Centre provides free legal advice on immigration.

The council's Community Support Directory provides information on a wide number of voluntary and community organisations across the borough that provide support.   

Other helpful resources

Refugee Council - Helps refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK with crisis support, employment, mental health, resettlement and legal advice. They provide a national telephone service called Infoline for people seeking asylum who are experiencing, or at risk of, crisis.

NRPF Network - NRPF (no recourse to public funds) network provides information on how immigration status impacts a persons entitlement to services and support options for people with no recourse to public funds. 

British Red Cross - Provide practical help and support for refugees and people seeking asylum from all backgrounds and religions. 

Migrant Help - Provide independent advice and guidance to assist people seeking asylum in the UK. You can get help with applying for accommodation and financial support, find dedicated caseworkers and translators.

Right to Remain toolkit - Free step-by-step guide to UK asylum and immigration system to help you better understand the legal process.

Care4Calais - Volunteer-run refugee charity working with refugees in the UK which provides more online information to asylum seekers and refugees.