Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether there are mechanisms available to extend the move-on period for an individual where the issuing of a biometric residence permit is significantly delayed following a letter granting refugee status.

Following the service of an asylum decision, an individual continues to be an asylum seeker for the purpose of asylum support until the end of the relevant prescribed period, also known as the ‘grace period’ or ‘move on period’. This period is 28 calendar days from when an individual is notified of a decision to accept their asylum claim and grant them leave. This period remains as 28 days and there are no plans to change this. Individuals are notified of this period in their grant letter.

Confirmation of the exact date an individual’s support and accommodation is due to end is issued in a ‘notice to quit’ (NTQ) or ‘notice to vacate’ (NTV) letter. This will either be at least 7 days from when the notice is issued, or the date on which the grace period comes to an end, whichever is the longest in date. A NTQ will only usually be issued once a person has been issued a biometric residence permit (BRP).

This means that individuals who receive a positive decision on their asylum claim are eligible to support and accommodation for at least 28 days from when their decision is served and that support usually will not end unless an individual has been issued with a BRP.

It's important to note that individuals do not need to wait for their BRP to make a claim for benefits and are encouraged to do so as early as possible if they require them.