We have written this Guide to help Refugees who have recently been granted leave to remain in the UK. If you have Refugee Status, Humanitarian Protection, Discretionary Leave or Indefinite Leave to Remain, this guide will help you understand what new rights and entitlements you have, and advice on how to get them.
This is is a guide for new refugees in Leeds, and focuses on the kind of things that will be a priority during the first 6 months of becoming a refugee. It does not aim to be a guide to any other city: all the information is specific to life in Leeds.
We do not want this guide to be too long or too detailed. We have tried to give basic information on a number of important subjects, and links to more detailed information if that’s needed.
Finding Immigration Advice
Where you need to go: In person: Leeds Citizens’ Advice Bureau (City Centre): 31 New York St, Leeds LS2 7DT ... read more.
Download a copy of the Personal Information Checklist
Complete this form as fully as you can, and try not to leave any gaps. If you have a husband, ... read more.
Gathering my personal information
What you need to know When you are dealing with agencies and organisations, you will often be asked for personal ... read more.
Family reunion
What you need to know Some refugees can apply for their family members to come and live in the UK. ... read more.
Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
What you need to know Indefinite Leave to Remain gives you permission to stay in the UK on a permanent ... read more.
Extending permission to stay in the UK
What you need to know Here is the process for extending your stay in the UK: Receive your Home Office ... read more.
British Citizenship
If you would like to officially become a British Citizen, you can apply to the Home Office for Citizenship. There ... read more.
Travelling outside the UK
Travelling outside the UK If you want to travel to another country to visit, work or live long term you ... read more.
Extra help for adults
Adult social care (also known as Adult Social Services) If you or someone in your family is aged over 18 ... read more.
Extra help for carers
Being a carer means you are regularly caring, without being paid, for someone who has an illness, health condition or ... read more.
Extra help for children
Children’s Social Services Social services is a team of professionals in Leeds City Council who work to keep children and ... read more.
Finding childcare
Childcare options There are different types of childcare available in Leeds. Here is a summary of the main types and ... read more.
Paying for childcare
Childcare is expensive. You can get an idea of the average costs of different types of childcare on the Money ... read more.
Caring for young children
How to register a birth with Leeds City Council If you have recently had a baby in Leeds, by law ... read more.
Getting help from my child’s school
All schools in Leeds have staff who support the pupils to be healthy, happy and safe. This means that if ... read more.
Choosing the best health service
There are other services you can use as well as or instead of a GP practice if you are unwell ... read more.
Finding a GP
GPs are family doctors and are normally the first health professionals you see when you have an illness or injury ... read more.
GP appointments – what to expect
Making an appointment with a GP You can book an appointment with the GP practice reception staff over the phone ... read more.
Medicines and Prescriptions
Your GP or nurse may advise you to take some medication to help you get better. There are two ways ... read more.
Mental health
Mental health difficulties are very common One person out of four experiences some kind of mental health problem at some ... read more.
Healthy living
Eating healthy food and getting regular exercise is the best way to stay healthy and avoid becoming overweight. It can ... read more.
Health screening tests
It is really important to use any screening services offered to you. They can detect serious diseases. If you catch ... read more.
Pregnancy (having a baby)
It is important to visit your GP as soon as you find out you are pregnant, so you can get ... read more.
Immunisations & vaccinations
If you have children, it is important to make sure their immunisations are up to date as they protect against ... read more.
Safety in my home
Fire Safety West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue is the fire service for Leeds. The website has lots of advice to ... read more.
Safety in my neighbourhood
Personal safety It is important to feel confident when you walking around in Leeds or your local area. These tips ... read more.
Reporting crime
If you are a victim of a crime, you should report it to the police who can support you. If ... read more.
If someone I know is being harmed
Safer Leeds is a partnership of organisations including Leeds City Council, the NHS and emergency services, which work together to ... read more.
What documents do I need to work?
National Insurance Number To work in the UK you will also need a National Insurance Number. You can only ... read more.
Learning English
Learning English will really help you find employment and there are many places where you can learn English in Leeds, ... read more.
Skills and qualifications
For more information on adult learning and training for different industries and areas of work go to Education. Would you ... read more.
Finding a job
Leeds has jobs in many of different areas. Big areas of employment in Leeds include: hospitality (for example hotels, bars, ... read more.
Wages & tax
National minimum wage The UK has a national minimum wage and it is illegal for an employer to pay less ... read more.
My rights at work
All workers have rights. These rights apply to full-time and part-time workers. Generally, all workers have the right to: receive ... read more.
Self-employment
Many people who have moved to UK choose to set up their own business. In fact, in the UK there ... read more.
Where can I find a place to live?
What you need to know Leeds Housing Options is the best place to find somewhere to live. As a refugee, ... read more.
Getting a homeless assessment
What you need to know If you have nowhere to live, or at risk of losing your home, you must ... read more.
Private rented accommodation
What you need to know Private rented accommodation means houses or flats that are owned by a private landlord. These ... read more.
My rights as a tenant
Someone who rents a property is called a tenant, and someone who owns a rented property is called a landlord. ... read more.
Permanent accommodation
Social / council housing Social housing is the name for housing that is provided by Leeds City Council or a ... read more.
Choosing where to live
What you need to know Working out if a place is the right place for you can be difficult. You ... read more.
Where can I get furniture?
Council accommodation is usually unfurnished. This means you will need to buy carpets and furniture for your new home, as ... read more.
Setting up utilities
In the UK, the supply of Water, Electric and Gas to a home care called “Utilities”. All properties are connected ... read more.
Paying for utilities
You can usually either pay your bills monthly, or every three months. You can sometimes get cheaper bills if you ... read more.
Council Tax and other housing costs
Paying your Council Tax When you move to Leeds, you will need to pay Council Tax to Leeds City Council. ... read more.
Bins, rubbish and recycling
Recycling and getting rid of household rubbish is very important. If you do not get rid of your household waste ... read more.
Housing Benefit
If you are on a low income you may be entitled to Housing Benefit to help you pay your rent. ... read more.
What benefits can I claim?
Benefits you could apply for There are many kinds of benefits, and it can feel very confusing which ones apply ... read more.
What should I do first?
Claiming welfare benefits can be complicated, and the forms can be difficult, so get help with this as soon as ... read more.
Schools in the UK (5-16)
What you need to know All children should be in school by the September following their 5th birthday at the ... read more.
How do I choose a school?
It is a good idea to find out about your local schools to help you decide which ones to apply ... read more.
How do I apply to a school?
Primary and secondary school: if the school year has already started The following information is for you if you are ... read more.
Attending school
What you need to know It is very important to make sure your children regularly attend school, as this helps ... read more.
Education and training (16-18)
What you need to know All young people can leave school at 16 if they want, but by law they ... read more.
Going to College
Choosing & applying to a college Like schools, colleges are inspected by Ofsted to check for the quality of their ... read more.
Adult education and training (18+)
If you are over 18 and want to develop your work skills, get a qualification, or learn something new, there ... read more.
Learning English
Learning English will really help you find employment and there are many places where you can learn English in Leeds, ... read more.
How do I open a bank account?
What you need to know You will need to open a bank account so that you can get paid or ... read more.
Cash machines
What you need to know You can withdraw money from your bank account using a cash machine (sometimes called an ... read more.
Post Office Card accounts
Post Office Card Accounts are similar to bank accounts, but can only be used to receive Welfare Benefit payments. They ... read more.
Credit Union savings accounts
What you need to know Credit Unions are an alternative to banks. Members pool their savings together and lend to ... read more.
Help with money problems
If you are having problems with debt or living costs, it is important to ask for help as soon as ... read more.
What should I do first?
What you need to know You need a Biometric Residence Permit When you get your letter from the Home Office ... read more.
My official documents
What you need to know Government issued documents are very important and you should keep them safe. They are your ... read more.
Determination of asylum claim letter
What you need to know Your determination of asylum claim letter is the letter that UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) ... read more.
The Biometric Residence Permit
What you need to know The Biometric Residence Permit is an official form of identity and proves that you have ... read more.
NASS/Section4 termination letter
What you need to know If you have or get housing or financial support from UKVI this will end 28 ... read more.
NASS 35
What you need to know If you were receiving UKVI support, UKVI will send you a form called a ‘NASS ... read more.
National Insurance Number
What you need to know You will need a National Insurance Number (NINO) in order to receive benefits and when ... read more.
Where can I get an interpreter?
What you need to know If you need an interpreter, ask for one. Many Local and National Government organisations must ... read more.
Getting organised
Trying to help can be difficult. Gathering the right information and find the right place can take a lot of ... read more.
Where can I get advice?
What you need to know When you are granted Leave To Remain in the UK it is important you get ... read more.
Public transport
What you need to know West Yorkshire Metro can give you lots of information including bus and train times, route ... read more.
Taxis
Types of Taxi There are two types of taxi in the UK. “Hackney Carriages” or “Black and White” taxis (as ... read more.
Cycling
Cycling can be a fun, quick and cheap way to travel around Leeds, and it’s also good for your health. ... read more.
Walking
Sometimes walking can actually be the easiest and quickest way to get around (particularly in the city centre). It’s also ... read more.
Driving a car
If you want to drive a car or motorbike you must have a valid UK driving licence, road tax and ... read more.
