Asylum Support Appeals Project
Protecting asylum seekers' legal rights to food and shelter
ASAP aims to prevent destitution amongst asylum seekers through the provision of free legal representation and advice and information about entitlement to asylum support, including the right to appeal when this support is refused or withdrawn. Asylum support is the term used to describe the housing and benefits available to asylum seekers whilst their claim for asylum is being considered and to some failed asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected.
ASAP is a charity organisation which provides free legal advice in order to protect asylum seekers' legal rights to food and shelter. We give advice to organisations who are helping asylum seekers with their asylum support issues.
ASAP is independent from the UK Border Agency (UKBA). All your queries are treated in confidence. In March 2008 the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) changed its name to UK Border Agency. Following the introduction of the New Asylum Model (NAM), the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) ceased to exist in April 2007. Decisions on asylum support are made by UKBA.
If you are an asylum seeker and need advice about your housing and benefits problems, ASAP might be able to help. If you want to get advice from us, please go to your local refugee community organisation or other advice agency and ask them to call us on the number above.
ASAP can give you legal advice when, for example:
Your asylum support has been stopped or has been refused
or You have received a Notice of Appeal from UKBA
or You have an appeal hearing at the Asylum Support Tribunal in Croydon
or You are destitute and/or very ill and do not know if any support is available for you
ASAP can also give you information on other housing and benefits issues for asylum seekers. If in doubt, give us a call on our Advice Line on 0845 603 3884.
It is very important that you contact us as soon as possible when you have an asylum support appeal. If we are not able to help, we will try to refer you to someone else who can. However, we do not give immigration advice and cannot help you with your asylum claim.
