ASSIST Rotherham

ASSIST Rotherham aims to give information and guidance to any asylum seekers that request it, plus financial support to those who are now destitute and without recourse to public funds, e.g. Asylum Seekers who came to the UK and did not claim immediately upon arrival.

Government legislation means that people in this situation are not entitled to the basic support that is given to other Asylum Seekers and they are not allowed any recourse to public funds meaning that although they have a legal right to be in this country as an Asylum Seeker they are effectively destitute.

The second group of people is those who have been through the asylum process and have had their asylum claims rejected but for whatever reason are not able or cannot be returned to their country of origin for fear of persecution, imprisonment or death. In these cases the support (accommodation and subsistence) that was granted to them as Asylum Seekers is withdrawn. They are also not allowed to work, they are not allowed to register themselves as homeless, they have no recourse to public funds, and they are not allowed places in night shelters as people must be entitled to housing benefit to access these. There is in fact no legal way for these people to support themselves unless they have friends willing to provide for them.

Asylum Seekers who have had their claim for refugee status rejected or did not apply for asylum on, or shortly after, entering the UK are unable to access any health provision other than basic A+E. It is unclear just how many people fall into these categories within Rotherham and the surrounding area but the simple fact that they do exist is just not good enough. We believe this is an inhuman and unacceptable way to treat any human being and no-one should be forced to live in this way. If you are of the same opinion please contact us and show your support.