Your local Jobs and Benefits office can tell you which benefits you can get. Children seeking asylum have the same right to a school place as any other child.
Quick facts
- Seeking asylum
- No access to public funds
- With status
- Universal Credit, Child Benefit and more
- Universal Credit
- Finish your claim within 28 days
- Homeless or at risk within 28 days
- Housing Executive must help
- School
- Free school meals and uniform grants
Benefits
Benefits include Universal Credit, Pension Credit, disability benefits, Carer's Allowance and Child Benefit. You can apply for Universal Credit online. You must complete your claim within 28 days of creating your account or you will have to start again. You need bank account details, an email address, a phone and identity documents such as a passport. The Universal Credit helpline is freephone 0800 012 1331. Benefits are paid into a bank account, and a basic bank account is fine.
Housing
You can apply to the Housing Executive for social housing, which awards points by need. You can get help if you have nowhere to live or are likely to have nowhere to live within the next 28 days. The Housing Executive may have a legal duty to offer you a temporary home if you appear to be homeless. See homelessness help in Northern Ireland.
School and childcare
Children who have arrived in Northern Ireland seeking asylum or refugee/humanitarian protection status have the same right to schooling as any other child. You can apply for free school meals and for school uniform grants through the EA website. See free school meals and uniform grants.
From Ukraine
If you came under Homes for Ukraine, the Ukraine Family Scheme or the Ukraine Extension Scheme, see the Ukrainian Cash Support Scheme.
Common questions
Can asylum seekers get benefits in Northern Ireland?
No. If you are seeking asylum in Northern Ireland you will have no access to public funds, including access to benefits.
Can refugee children get free school meals?
Yes. You can apply for free school meals and school uniform grants through the Education Authority website.