Welcome Hackney – refugee, migrant and asylum seeker service
Hackney has a long-standing reputation of being open and welcoming to migrants and refugees.
Welcome Hackney is our dedicated refugee, migrant and asylum seeker service, launched in May 2023. This service responds to the needs of displaced people living in the borough. We have also pledged to become a Borough of Sanctuary, a place of safety and inclusion for refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum.
The page provides information on our programmes of work and the different ways we can provide support.
Moving your immigration status documents online (eVisa)
eVisas will be the main way to prove immigration status starting in January 2025.
We encourage you to complete the transition before 31 December 2024 to avoid any issues.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are replacing physical documents with an online record of your immigration status. This is known as an eVisa.
The documents being replaced are:
biometric residence permits (BRP)
biometric residence cards (BRC)
passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps
vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes
Since the Homes for Ukraine Scheme launched in March 2022, we have welcomed over 400 Ukrainians to Hackney. As the war continues, we remain committed to supporting those who seek sanctuary in our borough to access the care, information and services that they need.
We help:
Ukrainians who are or have been sponsored by Hackney residents through the Homes for Ukraine scheme
those hosting a Ukrainian refugee in Hackney through the Homes for Ukraine scheme
Ukrainians living in Hackney who have arrived in the UK through other visa routes
Recruiting Homes for Ukraine sponsors
We have many individuals and families in Hackney who are in need of a re-match host. This could be because their sponsor withdrew at the last moment. The accommodation was unsuitable or their original sponsor is no longer able to host. This places the guest in a difficult situation, as they battle against time and the current housing crisis to find alternative accommodation.
If you’re interested in becoming a rematch host, either temporarily or on a long-term basis, let us know. Email homesforukraine@hackney.gov.uk. We would support you and the guest(s) throughout the process. We might also be able to support you to become a resident landlord, if you and the guest(s) wanted to convert the sponsorship arrangement into a longer-term rental agreement.
We also know that many more Ukrainians are still living in danger and are seeking sanctuary in the UK. If you’re interested in sponsoring someone to travel to the UK, visit Home for Ukraine.
You will need to be able to host someone for a minimum of six months and meet the sponsor eligibility requirements.
Help we can offer
If you are on a Homes for Ukraine visa
If you are being sponsored in Hackney, you will be assigned a dedicated Support Worker. They will meet with you and your host during your first few weeks in Hackney to make sure that you have access to the information and support that you need. If you are unsure who your Support Worker is, contact us.
We will administer your £200 welcome payment. You need to visit us at the Hackney Service Centre to collect this payment.
We will provide information and resources to help you to settle into life in Hackney and the UK.
We can provide advice and guidance on a range of issues including housing, benefits, employment, ESOL, health and education. We will also signpost you to services that can further support you in these areas.
We can explain housing options and work alongside you to find longer-term housing. We will also support you to access a homelessness assessment if you are at risk of becoming homeless.
If you are a Homes for Ukraine host
We will carry out initial housing and DBS checks to ensure that the sponsorship is suitable for you and your guest.
We will administer thank-you payments for each month that you are hosting a Ukrainian guest(s).
We will provide advice and guidance throughout your time hosting. This includes advice on how to support your guest(s) when they arrive. Also, how to help them to move on from your home when you decide to end the sponsorship.
If you are on another visa type (for example Family Scheme Visa)
We can provide advice and guidance on a range of issues including housing, benefits, employment, ESOL, health and education. We will also signpost you to services that can further support you in these areas.
Services we're unable to offer
We are not able to:
find a sponsor for Ukrainians who are still in Ukraine or are living in other parts of the UK
provide immigration advice – however, we will do our best to direct you to immigration advice services
act as a guarantor for private rentals
Housing advice and guidance
We encourage our guests and hosts to think about longer-term housing arrangements as early as possible. This allows time for the guest(s) to consider their options and seek support if needed. The main options for accommodation beyond the original hosting arrangement are:
continue with your original host sponsor by converting the sponsorship into a resident landlord agreement (after a minimum 6 months of hosting) – this means that you would pay to rent the accommodation from your host
find a new host sponsor
secure your own private rented accommodation
There’s currently a shortage of affordable housing in Hackney and London in general. You are likely to have to consider areas outside of London where rental prices are lower. Our housing team can explain the options available to you and complete an affordability assessment to assist you in your search. We may also be able to offer landlord incentives and/or the deposit and first month’s rent to help you to secure a property.
The more time spent planning and organising, the greater the chances of a smooth transition into independent accommodation when the time comes.
If you would like support to find private rented accommodation, email our Housing Supply team: HFU.Housing@hackney.gov.uk.
Telephone: 0208 356 3111, option 2 (leave a message on our voicemail service to request a call back)
Visit us: Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman St, London, E8 1DY
Tell the reception that you would like to speak to someone from the Homes for Ukraine team. We are a small team and there may not always be someone available in person in the building. However, if you leave your details with the customer service team, we will arrange a call back as soon as possible. We can set up an appointment if necessary.
We are here to help and we value your feedback. If you have any concerns or comments about the service contact us.
Support for refugees and people seeking asylum
We can help:
asylum seekers living in Hackney
refugees living in Hackney who have recently received a positive decision on their asylum application
Support we can provide
We can provide support to new refugees and people seeking asylum in the following areas:
Help getting housing and money after your asylum decision
If you have received a response to your asylum application and have been granted permission to stay, you need to contact one of our teams as soon as possible. We can help you find a home to rent in the UK. This is because you will have to leave your current Home Office accommodation 28 days after you have been granted asylum.
The Refugee Next Steps service will then help you find somewhere in the UK to rent. Housing is very expensive in London, so this is likely to be somewhere else in the UK. There is a long wait for social housing, so we will help you find somewhere to rent from another type of landlord.
Our teams can also help you claim money from the government to which you’re entitled, including Universal Credit. Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs.
If you have a child:
ensure you have your asylum decision letter from the Home Office – you don’t need to have your Biometric Residence Permit or eVisa yet
phone 020 8356 2929 and ask for Refugee Next Steps or walk into Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman Street, E8 1DY and ask for Refugee Next Steps
If you do not have children in your household in the UK:
ensure you have your asylum decision letter from the Home Office – you don’t need to have your Biometric Residence Permit or eVisa yet
Casework and connecting you with services (for example health, schools, ESOL, work, and mental health support)
We have commissioned a partner organisation to deliver a Casework and Outreach Service in hotels housing asylum seekers. They will run a drop-in every week at each hotel. If you are living in one of these hotels, you can speak to them if you are experiencing issues or need help accessing support.
Your rights, entitlements and local support services
Hackney is now home to many Afghan families evacuated from Afghanistan in August 2021 under two government schemes – the Afghan Relocation Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Relocation Scheme (ACRS). Under the ARAP scheme, protection was provided to Afghan citizens who worked for or with the UK Government and British Armed Forces in Afghanistan in roles which put them at risk. The ACRS scheme provides protection to Afghans who supported UK efforts in Afghanistan. The scheme also provides protection for vulnerable groups of people such as at-risk women and girls and other minority groups.
In Hackney, we provide casework support to these families resident under ARAP and ACRS schemes through Groundwork. This organisation has dedicated caseworkers who meet with the families on a weekly basis to help them with a wide range of support including:
ESOL registration
utility bill payments
school registration
claiming benefits
learning or education
NHS health care
employability
We intend for this support program to empower and equip these families and individuals to build self-sufficiency and a life in the UK.
Welcome Hackney drop-in service
We have launched a new drop-in service for migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum. Come along for a range of help and support from our friendly council teams and community organisations. You do not need to register, just walk in.
We can provide interpreters if you need one.
Dates: Every Thursday, from 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Location: Dalston CLR James Library, Dalston Square, London E8 3BQ
Help we can offer at our drop-in service
housing advice
Universal Credit and other benefits
finding ESOL classes
GP registration
employability and volunteering
school registration, free school meals and uniforms
wellbeing and local support services
family and children’s services
Services we're unable to offer at our drop-in service
immigration advice or help with asylum or citizenship applications
legal advice
emergencies – we are not a crisis service
help completing eVisas
Translated health information and support services
Ukraine Advice Project is a group of volunteer legal professionals who are providing free legal advice on UK immigration, visas and asylum from qualified and regulated lawyers.
Hackney Migrant Advice are offering immigration, housing and welfare advice at their face to face appointments every Wednesday.
Hackney Community Law Centre is a charity employing solicitors and caseworkers to provide free and independent legal advice and representation to people living, working or studying in Hackney and surrounding boroughs.
Praxis is a charity for migrants and refugees which offers immigration advice.
Derman is a charity for Kurdish and Turkish communities in Hackney.
Xenia is a charity that helps refugee women in Hackney, including opportunities to practise English.
The Mayor of London created amap of servicesfor migrants, refugees, and newly arrived communities.
International Family Tracing service
If you have lost contact with a loved one and have been unsuccessful in contacting them through the normal means of communication because of recent events, the British Red Cross International Family Tracing service may be able to help. Get in touch with your nearest family tracing office.
Walk-in Crisis Café for mental health support
Walk-in Crisis Café is a safe, supportive & therapeutic place for anyone struggling and not coping with life.
Walk-in Crisis Café is open:
Monday to Friday 6pm to 9pm
Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 4pm
Telephone 07393 762 366, or email elft.crisiscafe2@nhs.net
Address: The Raybould Centre, City and Hackney Centre for Mental Health, London E9 6SR
Doctors of the World’s clinic in Stratford, East London, is currently open Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10am. Tuesday is a women-only day and is open to anyone who needs support accessing healthcare. They see people on a first-come, first serve drop-in basis. You can also book an appointment by calling their advice line on 0808 164 7686.
They refund travel expenses of up to £10.
Anyone can self-refer by contacting their advice line. Their advice line is open Monday to Thursday every week from 10am to 12pm.
The advice line can:
support you with booking appointments to their clinic
provide support over the phone if someone lives outside of London
provide translation services where needed
You can refer anyone to Doctors of the World. To refer someone email clinic@doctorsoftheworld.org.uk for a referral form. They review all referrals on a weekly basis.
DOTW is not an emergency medical service. Anyone who has an urgent medical need should:
contact 999
attend their nearest A&E department
contact 111 for advice as appropriate
DOTW’s clinic, advice line and casework services can help with:
registering with a GP
consulting with a medical professional (a GP or nurse) if available
completing a HC1 form to help with the cost of prescriptions, dental care and glasses (an HC1 form), if someone does not work
accessing antenatal care
support to end a pregnancy
testing and advice for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections
advising on contraception
supporting people to understand their rights to NHS hospital care in the UK, and what happens if someone gets charged
They are not able to provide the following support:
medico-legal reports; fit to fly letters; sick notes
letters to request exemption from Home Office reporting
waiving or cancelling charges for hospital care (they can only give general advice
if someone is already registered with a GP and would like a second medical opinion
ongoing clinical support (for example mental health support)
prescriptions for medications that need medical monitoring
They also have a Hospital Access Project. You can access the project through their advice line, at their clinic or by emailing casework@doctorsoftheworld.org.uk. They can advocate on someone’s behalf if it appears:
they’re refused immediately necessary or urgent care on the basis of their immigration status
the reasons for refusing their treatment is unclear
support and advice on establishing an exemption if treatment has already been received and completed, if someone has been charged due to capacity limitations, they are unable to provide direct support for the following:
setting up a payment plan/speak to a hospital if someone is unable to pay their bill
if someone’s unsatisfied with treatment they have received in hospital
If you’re unhappy with our service, how you’ve been treated, or with a staff member, let us know. We’ll work with you to find the best solution, and if another organisation is involved, we’ll work together to resolve it.