Employment, benefits and proof of income

As a refugee you now have the right to work and access public funds and services. This means you can access benefits and help with employment. You should do this straightaway, do not delay.

'Benefits' are monetary payments from the government to help you and your family live in the UK.

You will need to make an appointment with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) at your local Jobcentre to ask for help in finding employment, and to claim the benefits you are entitled to. When you go to your appointment, make sure you have your asylum decision letter, evisa, and any other relevant documents.

Need help applying for benefits?

Citizens Advice can help you apply for benefits. Call their helpline for support on 08001448444 or visit their website Help to Claim - citizensadvice.org.uk. Ask for a translator if you need to get advice in a different language.

Citizens Advice's Help to Claim service is confidential. They will not share your personal information unless you agree to it.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment from the UK government to help you and your family live in the UK. Universal Credit is paid monthly, and you apply for it online.

You might also need to phone the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 to book an appointment with a work coach at a Jobcentre. You'll be told if you need to do this after you have applied for Universal Credit.

The first Universal Credit payment takes about five to six weeks and will be paid directly into your bank account.

Your Universal Credit payment is made up of a standard allowance and any extra amounts that apply to you, for example if you have children, a disability or health condition which prevents you from working or need help paying your rent.

If you have any ongoing physical or mental health problems that might prevent you from working, make sure you have evidence of these and include this information on your application.

Citizens Advice have more information about how Universal Credit assess your health needs and the evidence you will need to provide. Visit citizensadvice.org.uk

It is important to remember that you report any change of circumstance, for example you move accommodation, someone starts living with you, you start working, or you start receiving another benefit.

Child Benefit

If you have children, you can apply for Child Benefit. This can be backdated to the date you first claimed asylum. You must claim within three months of receiving the Home Office letter granting you leave as a refugee. You can apply for Child Benefit online apply for Child benefit online.

Pensions

People who have reached state pension age, who are 65 years old, may be able to claim State Pension. The age at which you may become entitled to both State Pension and Pension Credit is determined by your date of birth. You can check the date at which you may qualify. If you are of State Pension age you do not have to look for work. You can contact the Pension Service for information and advice about entitlement to benefits.

Other benefits

You may be eligible for other benefits. Check what other benefits and financial support you can get.

Getting a job

To work in the UK, you will need your National Insurance number (NINO or NI number). This is a unique set of letters and numbers for each person. It records the tax and National Insurance contributions you make, which pay for your healthcare and other public services.

You cannot work or receive benefits without your NI number.

To get help to find a job, you should:

• Visit your local Jobcentre Plus - the Jobcentre can help you find jobs or direct you to training to help you get a job
• Look in local and national newspapers or recruitment websites where jobs are advertised
• Register with a recruitment agency who can find jobs for you
• Ask friends and relatives if they know of any available jobs where they work
• Visit local companies to enquire about job vacancies

Applying for a job

Once you have found a job you want to do, you must submit an application. You must carefully read what information the employer has asked for. Usually this is either an application form, or a CV (curriculum vitae) and a covering letter.

A CV is a formal list of your qualifications and experience. A covering letter is a short description that states why you are applying for the job and why you think you meet the requirements in the job description advertised. Your Jobcentre work coach can arrange help for you to prepare these if required.

Once the job application is submitted, you may be invited to an interview. The format of interviews can vary. For example, you may be asked a series of questions in a face-to-face meeting, or you may be given a trial shift where you do the job for a day or part of a day. You should pay close attention to the instructions for any interview you are offered.

Employers may also ask to see your documentation. It will help if you can bring your original documents (which is evidence of your right to work in the UK), college diplomas and any other proof of your qualifications and experience to show to employers. You can also go online at www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work which allows you to authorise an employer to access your data to prove that you have the right to work in the UK.