Resettlement in the Borough

eVisas 

Once you receive a positive decision on your refugee status from the Home Office, you will receive a separate letter with details on how to access your new eVisa. 

The letter will contain details on how to log in to generate a ‘sharecode’ to use as ID as well as your log in details in the form of a UKVI number. 

Check your full name has been spelt correctly on the eVisa and it displays the correct date of birth. 

If any details are incorrect, call Migrant Help immediately on 0808 8010 503 to raise the issue. 

If you have not received your login details and have been served an eviction notice to leave your accommodation, contact Migrant Help immediately and ask Migrant Help to contact the hotel for an extension. 

Migrant help telephone:
0808 8010 503
Website: Migrant Help.

Claiming benefits

You can apply for UK benefits once you have been given refugee status, not before. Apply for them as soon as possible once you have received a positive asylum decision. 

The benefit for those not working or on a low income is Universal Credit. You need to apply online using the link below either as a single person or a couple if you have a partner. 

Once the form is complete, you will need to go onto your Universal Credit journal to verify your identity. 

Once done, the Jobcentre will call you to arrange an appointment to see you. If you do not have the verification documents they ask for, they will arrange to verify your identity at your first meeting.

Apply for Universal Credit

Following your Jobcentre appointment, it takes on average five weeks for your claim to be processed if successful. 

Check the GOV.UK for more information about what you will get.

Check what you will get

Other benefits

• Child benefit - for parents with children only. 
• Personal Independence payment - for anybody with a serious medical condition only. You need to apply via telephone on 0800 917 2222. You will then be sent a paper application form to complete. 

Please let the UK Resettlement team know if you need assistance with applying for any of the above. 

Learning or improving your English 

You will be extremely limited in the UK without being able to speak English. Once you have refugee status you will have the same entitlements as a UK citizen, whereby you will need to read important information and liaise with essential services. 
 
English classes are typically called English for Speakers of Other Languages - ESOL. Below are places to study: 

• If you are currently residing at the hotel, please speak to the UK resettlement team to discuss classes presently being offered to residents only.
• Langley College offer a range of part time ESOL courses for all levels, from beginners to people wanting to improve their current skills. Applications can be made via this website: ESOL / Learn English Part Time in Langley Course | Berkshire. You can get a direct train from Maidenhead station to Langley station.

Looking for employment 

It will be very difficult to be financially independent in the UK if you are only receiving Universal Credit. Finding work will help support the cost of living in the UK.

For further information about finding work within and outside the borough, please visit our dedicated webpage.

Looking for Housing 

Securing housing is something everybody needs to consider. You can start looking for housing as soon as you are given refugee status.

The widest housing choice is private rented sector accommodation. This is accommodation that is owned by someone else who rents it to the occupants. Either an entire place, or a room in a shared house or flat. 

There are multiple ways to search for private rented sector accommodation. Visiting estate agents, the internet, smartphone applications, shop windows and speaking to friends and family who may know someone.

Universal Credit can pay towards a certain amount of your rent. If you find somewhere, first check that the landlord will accept Universal Credit before singing a tenancy to avoid getting into financial difficulties. 

The amount Universal Credit will pay towards rent is limited. Every council in the UK limits this amount, called the Local Housing Allowance.

If you are single and under the age of 35, Universal Credit will only pay towards rent for shared accommodation; you will not get the one-bedroom Local Housing Allowance rate. 

If you find accommodation, please speak with the UK resettlement team to explore any funding options for rent in advance or deposits. 

We suggest using the below websites to start your search: 

• Private Landlords That Accept DSS | lettingaproperty.com 
• DSS / Housing Benefit Rooms to Rent | SpareRoom.co.uk 
• Current Vacant DSS Properties in London – Our vacant properties in London; DSS Welcome (dsslocal.com) 
• DSS Accepted Properties | DSS Housing | Get a DSS move (movingsoon.co.uk) 
• DSS in London | Residential Property To Rent - Gumtree 

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead’s UK resettlement team 

If you need help or further advice about the above topics, please get in touch with the UK resettlement team. We can be contacted via email on: welfareteam@RBWM.gov.uk.  

We are at the Holiday Inn Maidenhead on Mondays to Thursdays between 10am and 4pm.

To arrange an appointment with a member of the team, please use the link below.

Book an appointment