Asylum Support of £37.75 per week can usually be received whilst claiming asylum.
You can get extra money if you are pregnant or have young children. See this website for more information: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Your-Situation/A-Migrant/Asylum-Seekers/UK-Visas-and-Immigration-support
If your asylum claim is turned down/you have not started an asylum claim
If your claim is rejected or else you have not started a claim, you will not have access to any benefits or government funds. This can mean you are considered ‘destitute’. You might be able to get help from certain charities. Manchester Refugee Support Network run a destitution service, which you can find details of here: http://mrsn.org.uk/mrsn-destitute-project/The Red Cross can also sometimes help: https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-help-as-a-refugee
You might also be able to get food from Food Banks and/or Soup Kitchens. Some food banks need more paperwork than others, so be aware of this. Food banks/pantries for destitute asylum seekers or refugees will probably be the best ones, but others will likely help, too. Sometimes local churches have their own food banks with less paperwork than the big national organisations (such as Trussel Trust).
LISG can sometimes help, so please let a volunteer know if you are destitute.
After you have your stay
If you have your stay, then you can usually claim full benefits, unless there is a clause in your leave to remain which says that you do not have recourse to public funds (if this applies to you, you can try and get this overturned with the help of a solicitor). For more detailed information see: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Your-Situation/A-Migrant/Asylum-Seekers/After-the-asylum-decision
This includes benefits for those seeking work, as well as benefits for those who are unable to work due to a health condition or disability. Claiming benefits can be complicated, so please see below for further information and links to help you claim.
See the benefits calculator to find out what you might be entitled to: https://www.adviceuk.org.uk/turn2us-benefits-calculator/
‘These are diverse stories which are seldom heard. I hope this book will encourage empathy, compassion and a better understanding.’ Laila El Metoui, Equality Advocate.
‘What a great book!’ – Ali Smith, Winner of the Women’s Prize for fiction