Help for refugees with leave to remain in the UK
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If you are a refugee currently staying in Lewes district or Eastbourne you may be eligible for 'indefinite leave to remain' in the UK.
You can apply for indefinite leave to remain if you have:
- protection status (permission to stay as a refugee or person with humanitarian protection)
- Discretionary Leave
Indefinite leave to remain is how you settle in the UK. It's also called 'settlement'. It gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like.
You can apply for benefits if you're eligible. You can also use it to apply for British citizenship.
- Find out more at GOV.UK - settlement refugee or humanitarian protection
Benefits and help with housing
Once you have had your leave to remain in the UK confirmed you can claim benefits such as:
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- Child Disability Living Allowance
- Carers Allowance and Attendance Allowance
There are benefits calculators to help check what you can claim.
Work Coaches in Jobcentres can also help with making online claims.
Help if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness
Once you have leave to remain you can apply to any UK council for help if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness within 56 days.
This leaflet gives more details: Applying for assistance with housing (PDF, 247 KB)
This factsheet gives advice on how to find accommodation: Looking for somewhere to live (PDF, 541 KB)
We have a duty to provide temporary accommodation only for households who have a priority need. Households with no priority need are supported to find other accommodation. For the definition of priority need? visit Shelter.org.uk
Help getting into work
Refugees in East Sussex can get help finding work from these services:
- SCDA - support into work
- ESTAR - a project jointly funded by East Sussex County Council and Public Health England
Learning English as a second language
English as a second language (ESOL) courses are for adults who are not fluent in English and want to improve their language for work, study or living in the UK.
East Sussex College offers a range of part-time ESOL courses at every level in the daytime or evening.
If you have indefinite leave to remain in the UK you may be able to take a course at no cost.
Translation
You can request any of our information in different formats or languages.
Sanctuary Café
The Sanctuary Café in Eastbourne offers a free drop-in for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
Healthy living and wellbeing services
There are free local services available to help you stay healthy. These can help you get support to improve your health and socialise with other people who are making changes to their lifestyle.
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