LIFE IN THE UK The Home Office’s stateless leave guidance explains that statelessness leave is granted in accordance with paragraphs 405 and 413 of the Immigration Rules which state that leave will normally be granted to the applicant and their family members (as defined in paragraph 410) for an initial period of no more than five years.31 If an individual with statelessness leave wishes to naturalise in the UK, there are no accelerated procedures within the UK’s naturalisation procedure. Those granted leave to remain have access to most public funds. This means that they may be eligible for Housing Benefit and Universal Credit subject to passing the habitual residence test.32 FINANCIAL SUPPORT In the research, four of the interviewees had statelessness leave and therefore had access to public funds. Two were receiving universal credit support and housing benefits. Another was studying as part of a National Health Service (NHS) programme that provided him with a grant to cover tuition fees and some living costs. He was homeless at the time of interview and on the waiting list for a home with the local authority. These three had been on Section 4 Support prior to their recognition as stateless because they had previously applied for asylum. The final one, who had not previously applied for asylum, was using personal savings to support himself. For the six interviewees with ongoing statelessness leave applications, one was receiving Section 4 31 32 33 34 16 Recognised Stateless Person photographed in London. © UNHCR/Katie Barlow. Statelessness leave applicants are not eligible for the same type of support as asylum-seekers whilst they wait for a decision on their application. Some destitute applicants are potentially eligible for other types of support e.g. under Section 4(2) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 199933 (Section 4 Support) or Schedule 10 of the 2016 Immigration Act34, but these and other potential categories of support can be difficult to access. Section 4 Support currently includes accommodation and £35.39 weekly per person on a payment card. Applicants for statelessness leave also generally do not have permission to work if they have no other permission to stay in the country which allows work. Support and one was awaiting the outcome of an application for the same. Out of the two with an outstanding asylum application, one was receiving asylum accommodation and financial support and the other’s asylum support and accommodation were due to end soon. All those who had received or were receiving Section 4 Support expressed gratitude that they were provided with some support but also expressed frustration that it was difficult to live on the small amount given to them, particularly for such long periods of time. Indeed, many of them were on Section 4 Support for over five years. ‘It’s difficult with the little money we have, we cannot properly look after ourselves.’ - Eduardo Home Office, Stateless leave Version 3.0, 30 October 2019, available from: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/ file/843704/stateless-leave-guidance-v3.0ext.pdf See The Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020, available from: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/667/ contents/made Asylum Support Appeals Project, Section 4 Support Factsheet, April 2016, available from: https://www.asaproject.org/uploads/Factsheet-2-section-4-support.pdf For further information see: https://www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/information-and-resources/rights-and-entitlements/support-options-for-people-with-nrpf/home-office-support/ schedule-10-immigration-bail-support