Refugee and Asylum Seeker Care in Burnley

 

The number of people seeking asylum in the UK has been rapidly increasing in the last few years, mostly due to a backlog in the processing of asylum cases. In December 2023, 128,786 people were waiting for a decision or appeal on their asylum claim in the UK.

In March 2024, there were an estimated 431 asylum seekers in Burnley which equates to 0.46% of the town’s population (NNT Data).

Main countries of origin: Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Syria.

Main spoken languages: Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish,  Tigrinya, Urdu, Amharic and Pashto.

Delivering with dignity | British Red Cross

 

 

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR TRANSLATED HEALTH INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS - DOCTORS OF THE WORLD

 

 

New Neighbours Together

 

What do they do?

  • Weekly drop ins
  • English as a spoken language (ESOL) classes
  • Advice and advocacy - advice on legal issues housing issues, health...
  • Help with cases - contacting the Home Office, Migrant Help and finding solicitors for clients
  • Help with form-filling
  • Help wit job seeking and volunterring
  • Weekly support sessions
  • Coordinate Burnley's City of Sanctuary - City of Sanctuary - City of Sanctuary UK

 

Health Support

  • Signposting to appropriate services
  • Signposting to the closest GP and filling out GP registration forms
  • Filling out HC1 form
  • Help with making appointment
  • Vaccination outreach
  • Research with UCLAN
  • Weekly drop ins from a children and family outreach worker
  • Drop ins from social prescribers
  • Mental health and wellbeing support

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nnt-programme-2024

nnt-leaflet

For further information please visit the New Neighbours Together website

 

Rights of Refugee and Asylum Seekers

 

Asylum Seeker

  • Can access primary care for free
  • Can access secondary care for free
  • Usually have no right to work, however after 12 months they can apply for jobs on the shortage occupation list or immigration salary list
  • They are allowed to volunteer
  • No right to rent or live in private housing, only home office housing. However can live with friends and family
  • No benefits, but they receive housing from the government and monetary support (section 98, 95 and 4)
  • ID-ARC (application registration card)

 

Healthcare Rights

Under section 95 asylum seekers should receive an HC2 certificate as part of the NHS low-income scheme. It entitles them to:

  • Free NHS prescriptions
  • Free NHS dental treatment
  • Free NHS sight tests
  • Help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses
  • Help with the cost of travelling to receive NHS treatment
  • Free NHS wigs and fabric support

An HC2 certificate usually expires after 6 months and can be renewed using an HC1 form.

NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

 

Support: finances and accommodation:

Section 98 - intended to be short term, initial accommodation and can be full board or self-catered. Given to asylum seekers who are likely to become destitute or have nowhere to go while waiting for section 95 support.

Section 95 - Given to asylum seekers who are waiting to be transported to their dispersal accommodation, are in dispersal accommodation or those who have appealed their asylum claim. It is valued at  £49.18 a week per person for self- catered accommodation or £8.86 a week if the accommodation provides meals. Additional support for pregnancy and children is available.

Section 4 - Given to failed asylum seekers while they plan to leave, or if they are unable to leave and are likely to become homeless and have no funds

Those with family in the UK who are willing to live with them may do so and they will receive subsistence only support  where the home office will only provide money for basic living expenses

Asylum Support: financial support and accommodation – Right to Remain

 

Refused Asylum Seeker

Healthcare Rights
  • Can access primary care for free
  • Can access the NHS for free if they are supported by the Home Office
  • Should always receive urgent and immediately necessary treatment even if they may be billed later
  • Can continue any treatment that was underway before their application was rejected for free
  • Maternity care always provided, even if charges may apply later
  • Refused asylum seekers can receive free NHS hospital treatment (secondary care) for:

Refugee

  • Can access primary care for free
  • Can access secondary care for free
  • Have the right to work and volunteer
  • Have the right to rent or private housing
  • Can receive benefits
  • ID - passport, BRP (biometric residence permit) etc

Skilled Worker visa: immigration salary list - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

Healthcare Rights

Refugees have full access to the NHS