Are you eligible for help?

Certain categories of person are not ‘eligible’ for assistance under the homelessness legislation, because they do not usually live in the UK or are subject to some form of immigration control. You are likely to be eligible for assistance if:

• you usually live in the UK and are not subject to any form of immigration control
• you usually live in the UK and are subject to immigration control, but your right to stay here is not subject to any time limit or condition/s.
• you have been given refugee status, or exceptional leave to remain here, as a result of an application for asylum
• you are an asylum seeker who applied at port of entry, when you first came to the UK and have not yet received a decision on your asylum application
• you are an asylum seeker, who applied for asylum prior to 4th February 1996

In priority need

You may be in priority need for accommodation if:

• you are 16 or 17 years old
• you are 18 to 20 years old and were looked after, accommodated or fostered between the ages of 16 and 18
• you have dependent children who are under 16, or under 19 if they are in full time education, who live with you
• you, or any member of your household is pregnant
• you are at risk of violence
• you have been made homeless as a result of fire, flood or some other disaster
• you are ‘vulnerable

You may be 'vulnerable' because:

• you are an older person (over 60 years old as a guide)
• you suffer from mental illness, disability, or physical illness
• you are at risk of domestic or other violence
• you are at risk as a young person
• you are over 21 but used to be looked after, accommodated or fostered
• you have served a custodial sentence or served in the armed forces

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