Communities and safety

After gaining status

Once you are given humanitarian protection or refugee status, it's important to start to look for work and housing. 

After you have received your decision, you only have a short time before your asylum support ends so it is important to focus on getting:

  • your proof of status
  • help with finding work or claiming benefits
  • a place to live

How to access your eVisa 

From 2025, digital eVisa's will be used to prove immigration status and BRP cards will be phased out. Find out more about eVisas on GOV.UK.

How to find work or claim benefits 

Once you have a positive decision, you are allowed to work and earn money. Liverpool In Work have a specialist Refugee Employment Adviser who can support you into work. 

If you can’t work or can’t find a job quickly, you should apply for welfare benefits, usually Universal Credit. You can apply for Universal Credit online (GOV.UK), or at your local Jobcentre Plus (GOV.UK). Do this straight away as it can take some time before you receive your payments. 

How to get help with housing 

Once you have a positive decision, you can start to look for and move into your own home.

If you are homeless or will become homeless and received your decision in Liverpool, you can contact our Housing Options Service. 

If you are generally healthy and do not have children living with you, you will not be seen as a priority and will not be offered social housing or council accommodation. It may be helpful to check whether you have a priority housing need (shelter.org.uk)

There is a severe shortage of social housing and council accommodation for everyone at the moment. Find out more about renting from a private landlord or letting agent (shelter.org.uk).

How to apply for family reunion

If you're a refugee in the UK, you may have the right to family reunion. Family reunion is for pre-existing family members to join you in the UK. 

Find out more about refugee family reunion (redcross.org.uk). If your family will soon be joining you in Liverpool, you can also contact us to find out what local support is available.

Additional support

Migrant Help will give you at least three appointments with their advisers. These appointments are either on the telephone or face to face. Interpreters will be available for your appointments if needed. You can:

You can also get support from local charities listed in the Our Liverpool support services directory. It also lists organisations that will help you learn English.