The United Kingdom Home Office has issued new guidance allowing asylum seekers with friends or family in the country to stay with them instead of in Home Office accommodation.

🇳🇬 Here's What Happened

The guidance, published on Wednesday, said the arrangement would not affect the outcome of an asylum application and that eligible asylum seekers would continue to receive weekly financial support for food and other essential items.

“You can stay with friends or family instead of in Home Office accommodation,” the Home Office stated in the four-page leaflet titled Choosing where to stay as an asylum seeker.

It added, “It will not impact the outcome of your asylum application, and if eligible, you will still get weekly money for food and other essential items.”

📌 Key Details

According to the guidance, asylum seekers may choose to stay with friends or family if they have space to accommodate them.

The Home Office listed some benefits of the arrangement, including living closer to people they know, receiving weekly financial support if eligible, cooking their own food and feeling more at home.

However, asylum seekers who wish to move must follow a specified process before leaving Home Office accommodation.

The guidance requires them to first speak with their friends or family to confirm that they are willing to accommodate them.

“Call Migrant Help on 0808 8010 503 and tell them the address you want to move to,” the Home Office said.

It explained that Migrant Help would submit the request to the Home Office for processing.

📰 Source: Punch Nigeria