TEMPORARY SUPPORT for NASS ELIGIBLE DISBENEFITED SINGLES ( Or Childless Couples)

TEMPORARY SUPPORT FOR NASS ELIGIBLE DISBENEFITED SINGLES ( or childless couples)

1. SCOPE OF THE DOCUMENT 1.1 This document provides information and guidance to NASS case-workers dealing with single or childless couple disbenefited asylum seekers who request temporary support while NASS are dealing with their application for support (please also see NASS Policy Bulletins 51 and 52 which give guidance on the processing of applications from disbenefited asylum seekers and guidance on services local authorities can provide to disbenefited asylum seekers under special grant arrangements)

2. GENERAL 2.1 Asylum seekers in receipt of social security benefits cease to be eligible for those benefits when their application is recorded as refused. Those whose claims for asylum have been recorded as refused on or after 25 September 2000 are eligible to apply to NASS for support (NASS eligible disbenefited asylum seekers).

2.2 Disbenefited families with children can approach their local authority for help with their application form (see NASS Policy Bulletin 52 issued on 23/02./01)

2.3 Disbenefited asylum seekers receive a letter from the Benefits Agency explaining that they are no longer entitled to social security benefits. The letter also contains a telephone number for the National Asylum Support Service which can be used to ring NASS to obtain an application form. On line interpreters can be used if the applicants have difficulty with English. Local authorities and voluntary sector "one stop services" can also give applications to disbenefited asylum seekers.

3. SECTION 98 TEMPORARY SUPPORT

3.1 Under the provisions of section 98 (1) of the Immigration and asylum Act 1999 NASS may provide, or arrange for the provision of support for asylum seekers or dependants of asylum seekers who appear to NASS to be destitute. Such support may be provided until NASS is able to determine whether support may be provided under section 95.

3.2 Voluntary sector organisations such as the Refugee Council and Migrant Helpline are grant funded to provide Section 98 support to newly arrived asylum seekers but will not provide this service to disbenefited asylum seekers.

3.3 Local authorities can provide section 98 support to NASS eligible disbenefited families with children and certain vulnerable single, or childless couple, NASS eligible

NASS Casework Instructions

0d01e4e670075b4328ea76d12c7194e2.doc Version 1.0 Date of Issue 230201 1 of 4 disbenefited asylum seekers under special grant arrangements ( see NASS Policy Bulletin 52 issued on 23/02/01).

3.4 If other NASS eligible single disbenefited asylum seekers or childless couple asylum seekers require support while their application for support is being considered then they must contact NASS directly.

4. CRITERIA FOR PROVIDING SECTION 98 SUPPORT TO SINGLE OR CHILDLESS COUPLE NASS ELIGIBLE DISBENEFITED ASYLUM SEEKERS

4.1 NASS may provide section 98 support if NASS is satisfied that the applicant is a NASS eligible single disbenefited asylum seeker or NASS eligible childless disbenefited asylum seeker couple and that he/she /they are likely to imminently suffer from the effects of destitution, provided that an application form has been submitted to NASS. The application form is required because NASS may only provide section 98 support to those who appear to NASS, to be destitute asylum seekers.

4.2 The following is guidance to case-workers so that they can effectively give priority to dealing with requests for section 98 support. This guidance is not fully comprehensive. There may be circumstances which do not fit with the scenarios described. Such cases should be referred to SEO level without delay. All scenarios refer to NASS eligible single disbenefited asylum seekers or NASS eligible childless couple asylum seekers.

5. APPLICANT HAS ACCOMMODATION  If the applicant has submitted a NASS application form; and  The applicant requests temporary support while NASS determine the support application; and  The applicant has accommodation which he/she accepts will be adequate until NASS has determined their support application; then in such circumstances emergency vouchers may be provided until a decision has been made on the persons support application, if NASS are satisfied that:  the person(s) are NASS eligible single disbenefited asylum seeker or NASS eligible childless couple asylum seekers; and  the applicant(s) is/are destitute.

5.1 In such circumstances the case should immediately be brought to the attention of an HEO in the Disbenefited Team. The HEO decides whether NASS should provide temporary support. If the HEO decides that such support should be provided, emergency vouchers should be posted to the applicant within a reasonable time period, with a letter advising that the support is temporary, pending a final decision on their support application. Where possible emergency vouchers should be issued and posted on the day the request is made ( provided the request is made by 3.00pm that day). However if the request is enclosed with the application form or the request is made after 3.00pm then the vouchers may be issued the following day ( see below). Vouchers posted by NASS by 4.45 pm are normally received by the applicant by 12.30 the following day. The case should be given priority and finally determined in the usual way.

0d01e4e670075b4328ea76d12c7194e2.doc Version 1.0 Date of Issue 230201 2 of 4 5.2 Registration and Validation: If a request for temporary support is received with the application form the case-worker in Registration and Validation should bring the case to an HEO's attention who will liaise with an HEO in the Disbenefited Team. The case should be Registered and Validated without delay (see NASS Policy Bulletin 51 issued on 23/02/01) and passed to the HEO in the Disbenefited Team.

6. APPLICANT DOES NOT HAVE ACCOMMODATION  If the applicant has submitted a NASS application form; and  The applicant requests temporary support while NASS determine their support application; and  The applicant claims that they do not have accommodation available to them while NASS determines their support application; then in such circumstances NASS should arrange to provide emergency accommodation until a decision has been made on the persons support application, if NASS are satisfied that:  the applicant is a NASS eligible single disbenefited asylum seeker or NASS eligible childless couple disbenefited asylum seekers; and  The applicant(s) is/are destitute.

6.1 In such circumstances the case should be immediately be brought to the attention of an HEO in the Disbenefited Team. The HEO decides whether NASS should provide temporary support. If the HEO decides that such support should be provided, the HEO should contact the Anna Marie Trimblett of the Refugee Integration Unit (RIU) on extension 0067. RIU will advise the HEO of available full board accommodation.

6.2 The applicant should be offered the accommodation and where practical a travel warrant should be issued to enable the person to travel to the recommended accommodation. A letter should be enclosed to the applicant advising that the support is temporary pending a final decision on their support application.

6.3 Applicant requests accommodation for that night

6.4 Re-imbursing the cost of travel  If the NASS HEO accepts that the applicant does not have any accommodation or for that night; and  the accommodation recommended by RIU is not within walking distance of the applicants current location: and  the person does not have any money for travel, then, where practical, the HEO may agree to reimburse reasonable travel costs to the applicant's solicitor or "reception assistant" or local authority.

6.5 Spot booking alternative accommodation:  If the NASS HEO accepts that the applicant does not have any accommodation for that night ; and  the accommodation recommended by RIU is not within walking distance of the applicants current location: and NASS Casework Instructions

0d01e4e670075b4328ea76d12c7194e2.doc Version 1.0 Date of Issue 230201 3 of 4  the person does not have any money for travel; and  it is not possible to arrange travel by any other means (such as travel warrant or reimbursing the applicant's solicitor), then it may be necessary to spot book nearby alternative accommodation until a decision has been made on the support application or until it is practical for the person to travel to the recommended accommodation. Such decisions should be made by an SEO in the Disbenefited Team in liaison with the Procurement section and the Finance Section, making use of any advice which the local Home Person Unit or local authority Asylum Seekers Team can provide on available reasonably priced accommodation.

6.6 Registration and Validation: If a request for temporary support is received with the application form the case-worker in Registration and Validation should bring the case to an HEO's attention who will liaise with an HEO in the Disbenefited Team. The case should be Registered and Validated as soon as possible and passed to the HEO in the Disbenefited Team.

7. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE APPLICANT RINGS UP, CLAIMS TO BE SUFFERING FROM DESTITUTION AND HAS NOT YET SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION FORM?

7.1 Temporary support should not be provided unless the person has submitted an application form. This is necessary in order to help prevent fraud and so that NASS can make a cursory determination that the person is a destitute NASS eligible asylum seeker.

7.2 In such circumstances the person should be asked to fax their application form as soon as possible to 0845-601-1143 and the details of the caller should be brought to the attention of an HEO in the Disbenefited Team. The local voluntary sector "one stop shop" may be able to provide such service. Also the local authority Asylum Seeker Team may provide this service. In addition many high street shops and libraries will provide this service for a very small charge.

7.3 Upon receipt the application should be dealt with as above.

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