Asylum support

Support is provided by UK Visas and Immigration which is part of the UK Government's Home Office. UK Visas and Immigration is also responsible for making a decision on your asylum claim. There is more information on support available for asylum seekers on Gov.uk: Asylum support.

Please note that the council are not responsible for deciding where individuals seeking asylum are housed, the financial support people receive, or whether a claim is accepted.

Support networks in County Durham

Communities Together Durham

Communities Together Durham offers help and support to asylum seekers and refugees in County Durham providing signposting to local services, local drop-ins and other support.  Help with orientation and other essentials is also provided. For more information contact the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Project Coordinator by email at info@communitiestogetherdurham.org.uk.

Our council

We have Libraries located across the county where you can access local information. Information on services within your local community can also be found on Durham Locate.

North East Migration Partnership

North East Migration Partnership - Asylum Hub offers links to useful resources. They can be contacted at nemp@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

You can also search for support networks including those from your own language community in the North East Migration Partnership - Service Directory. 

North East Refugee Service

North East Refugee Service provides advice and support to people throughout all stages of the asylum process. You can email them at newcastle@refugee.org.uk.

Mental health support in County Durham

You can find information on services in County Durham to support mental health on our website - Mental health support for adults.

Refugee support

If you receive a positive decision on your asylum claim this means that you have been granted leave to remain in the UK. The length of time you're given leave to remain depends on whether you have been granted refugee status, humanitarian protection, or discretionary leave.

You will also then be eligible to work, claim benefits, apply for private housing, and you can receive support with these in the same way as other UK residents.

Once you receive your decision, please contact our Housing Solutions team as soon as possible. Housing Solutions can support you to find new accommodation and apply for benefits to help you pay towards your new home. The team will explain your options and help you find accommodation suitable for you and your family.

Migrant Help

If you experience any issues regarding your asylum decision, housing application, or anything else, please contact Migrant Help immediately. Migrant Help can also help you if you receive a negative decision on your asylum claim.

Asylum helpline: 0808 8010 503
Email: info@migranthelpuk.org 
Online chat service: Migrant Help Web Chat
Website: Migrant Help

British Red Cross

The British Red Cross - get help can help individuals seeking asylum and refugees with destitution support, orientation, emotional support, asylum support and accommodation issues.

British Red Cross can also help with registering with a doctor or dentist, completing HC1 application forms, moving on from NASS support and onto mainstream benefits, OISC level 1 such as countersigning Home Office travel document applications, and family reunion travel assistance.

You can email them at refugeesupportnortheast@redcross.org.uk

British Red Cross International Family Tracing, Newcastle

Offers help finding missing relatives or family members. The locating services may be able to help find people who have been separated because of war, natural disaster or migration.

Phone: 0114 242 7378
Email: FindYourFamilyNorthEast@redcross.org.uk 
Website: British Red Cross - find missing family

Right to Remain

The Right to Remain Toolkit is a step-by-step guide to the UK immigration and asylum system. It's free to use, available in different languages, and it's for people who want to learn more about the legal process, or a particular part of the legal process.

The information in the guide comes from experts - from people who are going through the legal process or have done in the past, from those helping them, from lawyers, from community groups.

It covers different stages of the legal system and procedures, with detailed information on rights and options at each stage, and advice about actions individuals may wish to consider.

No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)

NRFP Network is a national network safeguarding the welfare of those who, due to immigration status, are unable to access benefits. There is a NRFP Network - Support Tool that you can use if you're a person needing help with housing and financial support when you have no recourse to public funds.