Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has plans to extend the length of time that newly recognised refugees can continue to claim asylum support after a decision to grant leave to remain.

Newly recognised refugees can continue to claim asylum support for a further 28 days after the grant of their status. There are no plans to extend this period.

The grant of refugee status means refugees are eligible to apply for mainstream benefits. If they would like assistance with the application an early appointment at a local job centre is arranged for them. This process is designed to ensure that refugees receive the first payment of any benefit they are entitled to before the 28 days period expires, either by full payment of the benefit or through an advance payment.