Get help as a refugee

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Changes to our services during the coronavirus outbreak

• We are currently updating information on the availability and contact details of our services due to coronavirus, also called Covid-19. If you need refugee services, please keep checking this page.

• We have worked with Doctors of the World and other organisations to produce information on coronavirus in 45 languages.

• We are sorry that we now have to stop our travel assistance service. This is because of travel restrictions and the risk that families could be stranded on their journey. We are monitoring the situation closely and hope to start the service again as soon as possible.
• In the meantime, families should contact the Home Office directly to discuss visa extensions and re-issues. For information about coronavirus please visit the NHS advice page or read the translated leaflets. 

We will continue to offer our other services for refugees for as long as possible.

How we can help

We offer help with the urgent needs of refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants. The help we can offer will depend on where you are. It can include:

• food parcels and vouchers
• small amounts of cash
• clothes
• toiletries
• blankets
• baby items.

We may be able to offer further help. Depending on your circumstances and where you live this may include:

• travel vouchers
• benefits and career advice
• health care – registering with a GP or dentist
• coming with you to appointments
• adjusting to life in the UK
• orientation – getting to know your local area
• emotional support
• reuniting family.

When you contact us, one of our trained caseworkers will assess your needs to see if we can help. If we can’t, we will refer or signpost you to a service that can.
 
We will provide an interpreter if you can’t speak English.
 
We are not political or religious, we won’t report you to the authorities and our help is free and confidential.

If you have been trafficked

We may be able to help if you are a refugee or asylum seeker who has been trafficked. Please email: antitrafficking@redcross.org.uk 

As well as the help you get as a refugee, we can also give support and advice on what to do next and where to get more help if you have been trafficked.

Help for young refugees

You can get help in some areas of the UK if you are a refugee aged 15 to 25.

Get help as a young refugee

Family reunion (restoring family links)

If you are a refugee we may be able to help you reunite with your family by:

• helping with visa applications
• arranging flights for your family to join you (family reunion travel assistance).

We can only give help applying for family reunion visas in some parts of the UK and there may be a waiting list.
 
Contact your local service to find out if they offer family reunion help.

Read our guide to family reunion