Refugees and Asylum Seekers

As an asylum seeker, you can ask for support with somewhere to live, a cash allowance, or both. This will be provided by UK Visas and Immigration which is part of the Home Office within the UK government. UK Visas and Immigration are also responsible for deciding on your asylum claim. Find out more about what support you are entitled to as an asylum support.

Please note that Sunderland City Council is not responsible for deciding where asylum seekers are housed, the financial support they receive, or whether or not their claim is accepted. However, we take the safety and wellbeing of everyone living in Sunderland very seriously and we are here to help in any way that we can.

You can find more information about the council and lots of other information to support you throughout the asylum process inside our Welcome Pack. You can download the Welcome Pack at the Sunderland Information Point website- Asylum seekers and refugees advice, please see the download list on the the right hand side when you visit the webpage.

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

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

Please contact Sunderland City Council's Housing Team on 0191 520 5551 as soon as possible after receiving your asylum decision. The Housing Team will help you find new accommodation and apply for benefits to help you pay towards your new home. They will talk you through your options and help you find accommodation that is suitable for you and your family.

Have a look at our Move on checklist to make sure that you are prepared to apply for housing in Sunderland.

If you are granted refugee status, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave to remain, you can apply for help and financial support through the UK benefits system , provided you meet the usual conditions of entitlement.

Your child must start full-time education once they reach compulsory school age. This is on 31 December, 31 March or 31 August following their fifth birthday - whichever comes first. However, you can send your child to school full-time in the September after they turn four if you wish.

Your Welfare Officer or Housing Manager will provide information about your family to the School Admissions Team and an Attendance Officer or Early Help Worker will contact you to help you with arranging a school place for your child. School is open Monday to Friday and the days are approximately 6.5 hours long. Children must attend school every day unless an absence has been authorised or it is a public holiday.

Find out more about applying for a school and school admissions from overseas children.

If your child is aged between 16 and 18, they must do one of the following:

• stay in full-time education at a school or college (for example A Levels or vocational qualifications)
• start an apprenticeship or traineeship
• spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering while in part-time education or training

English as a second or foreign language is the use of English by speakers with different native languages. Language education for people learning English may be known as English speakers of other languages (ESOL).

ESOL qualifications are designed to help learners to develop English skills and build confidence in using English in everyday life, education, and employment. There are a number of organisations which offer ESOL learning in Sunderland.