Applying for asylum
For information on how to claim asylum in the UK visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/asylum/claimingasylum/. For information about the asylum process contact:
The Scottish Refugee Council
5 Cadogan Square
(170 Blythswood Court)
Glasgow G2 7PH
Phone 0141 248 9799 or 0800 085 6087
Website www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk
or visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/asylum/process/
The Scottish Refugee Council can direct you to lawyers working in asylum law in Scotland.
Asylum Support
If you require support and accommodation during the period that your claim for asylum is being determined, the Scottish Refugee Council can help you make an application to the UK Border Agency for this.
Accommodation for asylum seekers in Scotland is provided by the UK Border Agency via contracted accommodation providers. At the moment the accommodation providers are Y People and the Angel Group. If you are in receipt of asylum support from the UK Border Agency in Scotland, one of these agencies will be responsible for providing this.
If you have been granted leave to remain
If you have been granted leave to remain you will be entitled to a number of different benefits. You will also be able to apply to Glasgow City Council for housing under homelessness law.
If you receive welfare benefits or have a low income you can apply for housing benefit to help you pay your rent.
If you cannot sign a new agreement for your current accommodation and have been given a notice to quit, Glasgow City Council can help you find alternative accommodation if you are roofless.
There will be no restrictions on your movements within the United Kingdom, however, there is no guarantee that another local authority will give you priority need in terms of homelessness legislation.
If you wish to leave Glasgow you should get advice before you go. It is not advisable to travel to any area without having already arranged somewhere to stay.
The Asylum and Refugee Service works with asylum seekers at the point they are granted 'leave to remain'. Contact details are:
Asylum and Refugee Service
The Hamish Allan Centre
180 Centre Street
Phone 0141 222 7300
Once you have been granted leave to remain in the UK, your support and housing from the UK Border Agency will continue for a further 28 days. During this time (usually a few days to a week after you have received a positive decision), a member of staff from the Asylum and Refugee Service will contact you to arrange to visit you in your current accommodation. They will help you with your benefits claim (if you are making one) and to access more permanent accommodation after your UK Border Agency support is due to finish.
If your asylum claim has been refused
If you have just received the UK Border Agency decision to refuse your asylum application you should contact your legal advisor as soon as possible as there are strict timescales in which to lodge an appeal.
If you have exhausted all your appeal rights, the UK Border Agency can withdraw funding and accommodation from you and you will be expected to return to your country of origin. If you are unable to do this you can apply for support, under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, from the UK Border Agency. For further information contact the Scottish Refugee Council, or see the UK Border Agency website.
If you have children when you have exhausted all your rights to appeal and those children are on your original asylum claim, your asylum support should continue.
Unaccompanied asylum seeking children
If you are under 18 and are applying for asylum on your own you will normally be put in touch with Social Work Services.
If you are not already receiving a service from your local social work office you will be referred to the Asylum Assessment Team.
A social work assessment is undertaken for each unaccompanied child to identify individual needs.
Contact details:
Asylum Assessment Team
Twomax Building
187 Old Rutherglen Road
Glasgow G5 0RE
Phone 0141 420 0060
Fax 0141 420 8004
Office hours are 8.45am to 4.45pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45am to 3.55pm on Fridays.
An emergency out of hours service is available from the Standby Service on phone 0800 811 505.