Support from the UK Border Agency

This content applies to Scotland only.

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The UK Border Agency provides support and accommodation to asylum seekers in the UK who claimed asylum on or after 3 April 2000 and either have nowhere suitable to stay or no money to cover the cost of living. This section provides information on how to access support from the UK Border Agency.

What is the UK Border Agency?

The UK Border Agency is a department of the UK government. It provides financial support and accommodation to some people who arrive in the UK seeking asylum. It will only provide you with accommodation and assistance if you have no other way of supporting yourself while you are in the country. Read more 

Eligibility for asylum support

You should be entitled to support from the UK Border Agency if you are an asylum seeker or dependent on an asylum seeker, you are destitute and have no other way of getting support in the UK, and you made your claim for asylum as soon as you arrived in the UK. This page explains this in more detail, and looks at what you can do if you're not entitled to support. Read more 

Applying for asylum support

You can make an application for support from the UK Border Agency at any time before you are given a final decision on your asylum claim. This means that even if you have been in the UK for a few months, you can still apply. This page explains how to apply, where to get help with your application and what happens once you've made your application. Read more 

About asylum support

If your application is successful then the UK Border Agency will have the job of providing you and your family with support. It should make sure you have suitable accommodation and enough money to meet your essential needs until your claim for asylum is finally decided. Read more 

Change of circumstances

It is really important that you tell the UK Border Agency about any major events or changes that happen in your life or the life of anyone else in your family. Read more 

Losing asylum support

If you are dishonest when you apply for support from the UK Border Agency or if you don't tell them when your circumstances change then your and your family's support could be stopped. This page explains what you can do in this situation. Read more 

Appealing a decision

If the UK Border Agency has refused to provide you with support or if it has withdrawn the support that you were receiving, you might be able to make an appeal to the Asylum Support Tribunal (AST). This page explains how. Read more 

Asylum seekers and domestic abuse

If you are an asylum seeker and you're being abused by your partner or a member of your family then there are certain steps you can take to protect yourself from harm. Read more 

Racial harassment

If you are experiencing racial harassment then there are certain steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Read more 

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