Colchester City of Sanctuary
Contents
Practical Help
Find below information on setting up a bank account, accessing benefits and other financial support.
There are many different banks. An account with a digital bank is the easiest to set up:
If you have arrived in the Homes for Ukraine scheme or one of the UK’s resettlement schemes the Community and Partnerships team may be able to provide you with a letter as proof of address and confirm you are supported by Colchester City Council and RAMA or Essex Integration. Email: communities@colchester.gov.uk.
These benefits could include
Before, receiving Universal Credit, you will need to set up a bank. What you will need;
If you need help with your claim or cannot claim online, you can claim by phone through the Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644 (this phone number is free to call). Work Coaches in Jobcentres can also help with making online claims. Find out more about contacting Jobcentre plus.
For more help with claiming benefits and support, contact our Welfare Benefit Specialists on 01206 505855 or visit Our Financial and Employment Support team.
Citizens Advice have a helpline you can call for help to apply.
The first payment takes about 5-6 weeks. You can apply for an advance loan, but you will need to pay this back a bit at a time from your future Universal Credit payments or from your wages if you start working.
If you have any ongoing physical or mental health problems that might prevent you from working, make sure you have evidence of these and include this information on your application. Citizens Advice and Disability Rights UK have more information about how Universal Credit assess your health needs and the evidence you will need to provide. If you have a short-term illness you may need to ask you GP for a sick note.
It is important to remember that you report any change of circumstance (for example, you move accommodation, someone starts living with you, you start working, or you start receiving another benefit). Find out more.
If you have children, you can apply for Child Benefit which can be backdated to the date you first claimed asylum. You must claim within three months of receiving the Home Office letter granting you leave as a refugee. Find out more.
You may be able to receive help with the cost of medication while receiving benefits. Find out more.
If you are renting you will need to pay council tax. However, if you are receiving benefits you can apply for a council tax reduction. This will need to be done through your council. If you type your postcode in here it will take you to the right place to apply.
Turn2us have information about further benefits and grants you may be able to apply for.
There is a limit on the total amount of benefits you can receive, you can find out more using the government calculator.
Benefits and Council Tax Support
Debt advice and support
Money Advice Service
Colchester Credit Union
Citizens Advice
Set up a bank account
You should set up a bank account as soon as possible. This will be how you receive Universal Credit and/or your salary when you start working.There are many different banks. An account with a digital bank is the easiest to set up:
- Revolut
- Starling
- Monzo
- Passport
- Biometric residence permit
- Immigration status document
If you have arrived in the Homes for Ukraine scheme or one of the UK’s resettlement schemes the Community and Partnerships team may be able to provide you with a letter as proof of address and confirm you are supported by Colchester City Council and RAMA or Essex Integration. Email: communities@colchester.gov.uk.
Access to benefits
Refugees who come to the UK under UK government schemes, including- Homes for Ukraine and Ukraine Family scheme
- Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy
- Hong Kong Nationals
- UK Resettlement Scheme
- and asylum seekers who have recently been granted their status as a refugee
These benefits could include
- Universal Credit
- Child Benefit
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- Child Disability Living Allowance
- Carers Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a monthly payment from the government for people who are out of work, cannot work or on low income. It is important you apply as soon as possible as this will be used to pay your rent and expenses prior to finding a job. You will be asked to verify your identity online (many newly granted refugees aren’t able to do this, but you can call them to book an appointment instead).How to claim
You need to make an account online.Before, receiving Universal Credit, you will need to set up a bank. What you will need;
- Your bank account details
- An email address
- Access to a phone
- You will need to prove your identity. Examples include (not all required):
- Biometric residence permit • Driving licence
- Passport
- Debit or credit card
- Payslip or P60
- Your housing (how much rent you pay)
- Your earnings (payslips)
- Any disability or health condition that affects your ability to work
- Any savings you may have
Help with your claim
RAMA and Essex Integration can help you claim benefits if you are being supported by them. They also have interpreters who can assist.If you need help with your claim or cannot claim online, you can claim by phone through the Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644 (this phone number is free to call). Work Coaches in Jobcentres can also help with making online claims. Find out more about contacting Jobcentre plus.
For more help with claiming benefits and support, contact our Welfare Benefit Specialists on 01206 505855 or visit Our Financial and Employment Support team.
Citizens Advice have a helpline you can call for help to apply.
The first payment takes about 5-6 weeks. You can apply for an advance loan, but you will need to pay this back a bit at a time from your future Universal Credit payments or from your wages if you start working.
If you have any ongoing physical or mental health problems that might prevent you from working, make sure you have evidence of these and include this information on your application. Citizens Advice and Disability Rights UK have more information about how Universal Credit assess your health needs and the evidence you will need to provide. If you have a short-term illness you may need to ask you GP for a sick note.
It is important to remember that you report any change of circumstance (for example, you move accommodation, someone starts living with you, you start working, or you start receiving another benefit). Find out more.
Other benefits
If your health problems, mean that you have difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) then you may be able to receive Personal Independence Payments as well as Universal Credit. View the guide on how to complete it.If you have children, you can apply for Child Benefit which can be backdated to the date you first claimed asylum. You must claim within three months of receiving the Home Office letter granting you leave as a refugee. Find out more.
You may be able to receive help with the cost of medication while receiving benefits. Find out more.
If you are renting you will need to pay council tax. However, if you are receiving benefits you can apply for a council tax reduction. This will need to be done through your council. If you type your postcode in here it will take you to the right place to apply.
Turn2us have information about further benefits and grants you may be able to apply for.
There is a limit on the total amount of benefits you can receive, you can find out more using the government calculator.
Cost of living support
Urgent financial assistanceBenefits and Council Tax Support
Debt advice and support
Money Advice Service
Colchester Credit Union
Citizens Advice
Page last reviewed: 12 March 2024