📝 What You Need to Know After You Get Refugee Status 

If you were getting help from the Home Office or UKVI (like housing 🏠 or money 💷), there are some important things that happen after you receive your asylum decision. 

📄 You Will Get a Document Called “NASS 35” 

This paper is called a NASS 35. It is sent by the Home Office or UKVI when you are granted refugee status 🕊️. 

✅ It has: 

  • A photo of you 🖼️ 
  • Your name and details 
  • The type of support you got (housing, money, or both) 

You will need this paper when you: 

  • Apply for benefits (like Universal Credit 💰) 
  • Apply for housing 🏠 
  • Open a bank account 🏦 

➡️ Keep this NASS 35 safe. You may need to show it to different people. 

 ❌ What If You Don’t Get the NASS 35? 

If your support is ending but you didn’t get your NASS 35 form, call Home Office Asylum Support Line: 0300 123 2235. They will help you. 

❓ Who Gets a NASS 35? You will get a NASS 35 only if: 

  • You were getting Section 95 support
    (This is housing or money while your asylum claim was still being looked at.) 

❌ You won’t get a NASS 35 if: 

  • You were on Section 4 support (this is for people who had a refused asylum claim) 
  • Or if you didn’t get any housing or financial support from the Home Office 

⏳ How Long Does Home Office Support Last? 

✅ If You Were on Section 95 Support: 

  • Your housing and money support will stop after 28 days 
  • But! As of October 2023, there is a new pilot (trial) in some areas. In this trial, you get 56 days instead of 28 before support ends. This pilot runs until June 2025. 

You will get two letters: 

  1. 📨 A letter from UKVI 
    1. This will tell you the date of your last payment 💷 
    2. And the date you must leave your Home Office housing 🏠 
  2. 📨 A letter from Mears Group (your housing company). This will tell you when to leave the property.

⚠️ If You Were on Section 4 Support: 

  • Your support will usually stop 14 to 21 days after you get status 
  • You will get a letter telling you when support ends 

 🏃 What You Must Do Now 

As soon as you get your refugee status letter and the letter that support is ending: 

🚨 Act quickly — do not wait!
📞 Contact Housing Options right away. 

In Leeds: 

🏢 Leeds Housing Options can help with: 

  • Homelessness advice 
  • Emergency housing 
  • Help applying for benefits 
  • Help with private renting or council housing 

🕘 Visit in person:
Merrion House, 110 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 8BB 
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9am – 4pm
Tuesday: 10am – 4pm 

📞 Call: 0113 222 4412
🌐 Or check the Leeds Housing Options website 

📦 What to Take With You 

Bring these with you when asking for help: 

  • 🆔 NASS 35 Form
  • 📄 Refugee Status Letter
  • 🖥️ Your eVisa (online immigration status)
  • 💳 Expired BRP (if you had one)
  • 📬 Letter telling you when support is ending
  • 🩺 Any medical letters (mental or physical health) 

💬 Final Tips 

✅ Keep all letters from UKVI and Mears
✅ Keep your NASS 35 and eVisa safe
✅ Don’t wait—ask for help early
✅ If you didn’t get documents, call the numbers above 


Last Updated: 25 June 2025