14 things every refugee will be entitled to when they arrive in Ashford
ACCORDING to official Home Office guidance, Ashford Borough Council will have a duty to provide every refugee who arrives in the borough with the following...
1. A cash/clothing allowance of £200 - to ensure they have sufficient funds to live on while their claim for benefits is being processed
2. Accommodation which meets local authority standards and will be available on their arrival and is affordable and sustainable
3. Accommodation which is furnished appropriately but not including luxury items. This means food storage, cooking and washing facilities can be provided but the facilities should not include the provision of other white goods or brown goods, i.e. TV's, DVD players or any other electrical entertainment appliances
4. Registration with utility companies and arrangements for payments
5. A support plan for each family or individual for a 12-month period to facilitate orientation into their new home/area
6. Provision of English language classes which refugees can access within a month of arrival
7. Interpreting services throughout the period of resettlement
8. Assistance with registering for mainstream benefits and services and signposting to other advice and information giving agencies – including:
9. Assistance with registration for and collection of Biometric Residence Permits following arrival
10. Registeration with local schools, English language and literacy classes
11. Attending local Job Centre Plus appointments for benefit assessments
12. Registration with a local GP
13. Advice around and referral to appropriate mental health services and specialist services for victims of torture
14. Assistance with access to employment
http://www.ashfordherald.co.uk/14-thing ... story.html
Accommodation which meets local authority standards and will be available on their arrival and is affordable and sustainable
Anthea: English people are often on housing waiting lists for years and most council do not house single young men at all. This is not going to be popular
