The law provides access to social welfare for beneficiaries of international protection,[1] although practical difficulties are encountered.
Social welfare is provided to beneficiaries under the same conditions and on the same level as for nationals.[2] Public housing may be restricted to those with a history of living in a particular area, so beneficiaries who move away from dispersal areas may encounter problems.[3] The laws do apply to all. The main authorities responsible for granting social assistance are the Department for Work and Pensions, (national government department) administered by local Job Centres. The provision of social welfare is not tied to a requirement to reside in a specific place or region.
Beneficiaries face various difficulties in accessing social assistance such as difficulties in opening a bank account.[4] The issues relating to opening bank accounts and finding enough money to secure private rented housing (which require an upfront fee) remain unresolved. A parliamentary debate in March 2020 discussed many of the key difficulties experienced by newly recognised refugees in general.[5]
[1] Home Office, Public funds: caseworker guidance, 5 October 2023, available here.
[2] Department for Work and Pensions, ‘Claiming Universal Credit and other benefits if you are a refugee’, updated 6 December 2024, available here.
[3] Citizens Advice, ‘Getting on the waiting list for a council home’, accessed 24 March 2024, available here.
[4] Refugee Council, ‘Refugee Council launches new guide to help refugees open a bank account’, 6 November 2020, available here.
[5] Asylum decisions (support for refugees) debate, 4 March 2020, available here.