Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department takes steps to provide support to refugees who receive leave to remain in the time between their receiving their (a) National Insurance number and (b) first universal credit payment; and if she will make a statement.

Asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute are provided with accommodation and a cash allowance to cover their other essential living needs.

If they are granted refugee status this support stops 28 days after they are given notice of the decision and provided with a Biometric Residence Permit, which is the evidence they need to prove that they are able to take employment or apply for mainstream benefits from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). The permit now contains their national insurance number.

They are also contacted to see if they wish to apply for benefits and an appointment at a local DWP office is arranged for them if they say they do and require assistance.

This process is designed to ensure that refugees receive the first payment of any benefit they are entitled to before the 28 days period expires, either by full payment of the benefit or an advance payment of Universal Credit where this is needed.