UK asylum seekers can stay with friends, family, Home Office

The United Kingdom Home Office has introduced new guidance enabling asylum seekers to reside with friends or family members, offering an alternative to official Home Office accommodation. This updated policy aims to provide more familiar and comfortable living arrangements for individuals seeking asylum.

“

You can stay with friends or family instead of in Home Office accommodation.

The guidance, published on Wednesday, explicitly states that choosing to stay with friends or family "will not impact the outcome of your asylum application." Furthermore, eligible asylum seekers will continue to receive their weekly financial support for essential needs such as food and other items. The Home Office highlighted benefits like living closer to familiar faces and feeling more at home.

“

It will not impact the outcome of your asylum application, and if eligible, you will still get weekly money for food and other essential items.

However, the process requires asylum seekers to adhere to specific steps before relocating. They must first confirm with their friends or family that accommodation is available. Subsequently, they need to contact Migrant Help via phone to provide the intended new address. Migrant Help will then submit this request to the Home Office for approval.

“

Call Migrant Help on 0808 8010 503 and tell them the address you want to move to.

The Home Office strongly cautioned against moving without prior notification to Migrant Help, warning that doing so could lead to the loss of financial support. The department also indicated potential assistance with travel costs to the new accommodation. This new guidance is part of broader efforts to streamline the UK's asylum system, expedite decisions, and reduce reliance on government-provided housing.

“

If you move without telling Migrant Help, you could lose your financial support, so it is important you contact them first.