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Hertfordshire County Council

Ukraine

Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) (‘HKBNOs’)

Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) (‘HKBNOs’) information

Immigration Advice for HKBNOs

Citizens Advice St Albans will provide immigration advice for any HKBNOs living anywhere in Hertfordshire.

To make a referral - East of England Hong Kong Welcome Hub Immigration Advice Referral Form 東英格蘭香港移民歡迎中心移民諮詢轉介表格

For more information - HK Hub - EELGA SMP

Employability for Overseas Nations (EON) for residents in East Herts only

Comprehensive employability support from specialist advisers EON - EELGA SMP

Referral forms - EELGA SMP

English Language advice and support for HKBNOs 

Learning English - EELGA SMP

Support for HKBNOs at risk of destitution

Advice on how to access financial support for HKBNOs at imminent risk of destitution:  hkbno@eelga.gov.uk

Wellbeing and other support for HKBNOs

Helpline for Hong Kong BN(O) status holders Boloh Helpline | Barnardo's Helplines

Health

Refugees have the same access to healthcare as any other resident.

Asylum Seekers also have access to healthcare, including doctors, dental, eye care, and free prescriptions.

Undocumented Migrants have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) and are only entitled to free secondary health care (that's things like hospital referrals) in certain circumstances.

To access healthcare in the UK you need to register with a family doctor known as a ‘GP’ near to where you live.  Even if you have registered with a GP in another part of the UK you need to find a GP near to where you are living now.  Find your nearest surgery here: Find a GP - (www.nhs.uk) Your Housing Officer from Clearsprings Ready Homes can give you this information if you are not sure of how to find your GP.

The staff at your local GP’s surgery can guide through the registration process, either in person or on the phone. You don't need proof of address, immigration status, ID or an NHS number to register, but it would be helpful to bring any background medical information.

Guide to understanding health services in the UK – translated information on how to access healthcare

Mental health and wellbeing | Hertfordshire County Council – translated information on how to access mental health and wellbeing support.

Housing information and support

If you are living in Home Office provided accommodation, you will have less than 2 months to leave this accommodation after receiving a decision on your asylum claim.

You will not be provided with accommodation by the Council unless you have a priority need.

Contact your local housing team who will determine if you meet priority need or assist you to find homes or rooms to rent.

Always contact the local housing team as soon as possible  Interactive map for local and countywide services

Citizen’s Advice Dacorum Asylum Refugee Support - can provide you with advice and support around housing and employment rights. Please note, this is a rights advice service, it will not find you accommodation.

Education – schools and English language lessons

Schools
Refugee and asylum seeking children in the UK, who are up to 18 years old, can go to school. If you need help finding a school for your child, you can contact the Hertfordshire County Council schools admission team directly for help. Email Migration.Admissions@Hertfordshire.gov.uk for more information.

 

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

  • Asylum seekers cannot get government-funded English lessons for the first 6 months in the UK.
  • But, there are many volunteer groups that offer free English lessons to asylum seekers, no matter how long they have been in the UK.
  • You can find details of all English lessons (both government-funded and free) here: Hertfordshire ESOL Provision - Google My Maps
  • You can also check the Direct Support Available Guidance Sheet (PDF 398KB) for information about all support available in your area.

Step2Skills gives free English classes to asylum seekers who have waited more than 6 months. Call 01992 556194 or email step2skills@hertfordshire.gov.uk to enquire about eligibility.

Employment - how to get a job

Generally, as an asylum seeker you are not allowed to work for the first 12 months in the UK, after this time you may be permitted to work but only in certain jobs. 

To improve your chances of getting a job when you are allowed to work

  • Improve your English
  • Volunteer– this is a great way to improve employment skills and will help when you apply for paid jobs in the future.

Contact Citizens Advice Dacorum for more information.

 

Jobcentre Plus

Find your nearest Jobcentre Plus – they can:

  • provide job seekers with courses on CV writing and interview preparation.
  • share details of local employers who have job vacancies and support refugee schemes.
  • offer help with travel costs to people who find employment. Temporary bus passes and cheaper travel cards may also be available.

Find full and part-time jobs - use your eVisa as evidence of your immigration status in the UK and your right to work. Visit GOV.UK to prove your right to work.

The Refugee Council - support with getting a job.

Employment support – apply for personalised support from an employment advisor, job coach or mentor.

Work skills courses in Hertfordshire - find online and in-person lessons to help improve your employability.

If you need to prove your qualifications, you could get a statement of comparability even if your original document is not available. 

Money and benefits information

Hertfordshire money advice unit can provide advice and information about benefits and budgeting. 

Tel: 01438 843456.
Email mauadmin@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Citizens Advice Dacorum can provide countywide advice and information about money and benefits

Banking Guide for Refugees - Refugee Council 

Claiming Universal Credit and other benefits if you are a refugee - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Immigration support and advice

Citizens Advice Stevenage provide an immigration advice service for refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. immigration@castevenage.org.uk

Safety and Safeguarding

Call emergency services on 999 if you or another person is in immediate danger or if a crime is being committed. If there is no immediate risk but a police response is required, call 101 as soon as possible, or if health advice is required, call 111.

If you have concerns about a child, please report to Children’s services safeguarding 

If you have concerns about an adult, please report to Adult safeguarding

For support with domestic abuse: Herts Beacon Domestic Abuse Outreach Triage 0300 002 0008

The police want to help everyone  in the community to feel safe and trust them. They want people to tell them if something is wrong, like a crime or a problem in the neighbourhood. Special officers, called Engagement Officers, will work with other groups and talk to people to give advice. They will be the main contact for the police and can help you find the right department if you need more help. You can contact Dani and Emma at communityengagement@herts.police.uk.

After you submit your asylum application

Things to do while you wait for a decision

Don't wait to hear from the Home Office about your asylum application. Start to prepare for if you get a positive decision. Once you do get a decision, you will have less than 2 months before you need to leave your current Home Office accommodation.

Improve your English

It is really important that you learn to speak English as this will improve your chances of getting a job. Do not wait until you get a decision on your asylum claim. See our education section for more information.

 

Consider your budget

Find out what benefits you will be entitled to and work out your budget.

 

Housing – research what you can afford

In nearly all cases, the government will not provide you with accommodation once a decision has been made about your asylum application.

You will have less than 2 months to leave the Home Office property if you receive your right to remain.

Housing advice – including types of housing, paying rent and tenancy agreements.

 

Improve your chances of getting a job

If you get a positive decision on your asylum application and become a refugee

You will need an eVisa, for more information on applying for an eVisa please refer to Get access to your online immigration status (eVisa) - GOV.UK. If you require support with this, please email Citizens Advice Stevenage.

After you get refugee status – Citizens Advice can help you understand how to open a bank account, and provide advice about working, housing and claiming benefits.

 

 

Jobs

It is important that you find a job as soon as possible. See our employment section for more information.

 

Health

It is important that you are registered with a GP (doctor) near where you live.  If you have moved to new accommodation, you may need to find a new GP.  See our health section for more information.

If you get a negative decision on your asylum application

  • You can not be asked to leave your temporary accommodation if you are appealing a negative decision.  You will have less than 2 months to leave the accommodation after a negative decision has been given and no appeal has been lodged. 
  • Booklet about your asylum application (GOV.uk)
  • Contact Migrant Help for further support.

Voluntary return to your home country

You may be able to get help to return to your home country if you do not have permission to remain in the UK. This is known as ‘voluntary return’.

If eligible, the voluntary returns service can:

  • explain options for returning home
  • help get travel documents, such as a passport
  • pay for travel tickets, if unable to

You may also be eligible to apply for financial support of up to £3,000. This can be used to find somewhere to live, find a job or start a business in your home country. 

Get help to return home if you’re a migrant in the UK: Overview - GOV.UK

Local support

  • Guidance sheet of direct support (PDF) - find local and countywide information on the support available for refugees and asylum seekers.
  • Migrant Help - provides independent advice and guidance to assist asylum seekers in the UK to move through and understand the asylum process. Support is also provided in the 56 days following a positive asylum decision.
    Migrant Help also provide support with the transition to eVisas for vulnerable people. Email evisa@migranthelpuk.org or call 07483 170100.
  • Hertfordshire Directory - find local support services, including care and support, community groups and much more.

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