📝 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:
- 📨 A letter from UKVI
- This will tell you the date of your last payment 💷
- And the date you must leave your Home Office housing 🏠
- 📨 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