Asylum seekers and refugees: useful contacts
Help and support from local organisations for people seeking asylum or with permission to stay as a refugee or stay with humanitarian protection status.
Make the Call
The Department for Communities Make the Call Service offers support to make sure you are getting all the benefits, services and supports you are entitled to.
Make the call will carry out a needs assessment based on your personal circumstances and look at what benefits, supports and services that may be available to you.
If you are considering a move to Universal Credit from another benefit, you should seek independent advice before making your claim.
You can also use a benefit calculator.
For more information:
- go to Make the Call Service
- phone: 0800 232 1271
- email: makethecall@dfcni.gov.uk
Phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (excluding public holidays).
Emergencies ambulance, fire and police
In an emergency phone:
- 999
The Police Service for Northern Ireland non-emergency contact phone number is:
- 101
Emergency accommodation
For help with emergency accommodation, phone:
- 03448 920 900 (during office hours - 9.00 am to 5.00 pm)
- 03448 920 908 if after 5.00 pm Monday to Friday or at the weekends
Visa help
If you need help with your visa, or have arrived without a visa, contact:
UK Visas and Immigration:
- + 44 808 164 8810 – choose option 1
Monday to Thursday, 9.00 am to 4.45 pm and Friday 9.00 am to 4.30 pm
Calls are free of charge.
If you cannot contact UK 0808 numbers, you can use the following number:
- +44 (0)175 390 7510 - Monday to Thursday 9.00 am to 4.45 pm and Friday 9.00 am to 4.30 pm
You may have to pay – check with your phone provider if you’re not sure.
Immigration Advice Authority
The Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) regulates immigration advisers. It makes sure they are fit, competent and act in their clients' best interests.
You can get help to search for an IAA certified immigration adviser:
If you have received bad service from an adviser registered with IAA or have received immigration advice from an unregulated person you can get help:
Benefits
For more information on Universal Credit:
- phone: 0800 328 5644
- Browse: Benefits
Education
The Education Authority’s Asylum Seeker and Refugee (ASR) support team provides advice, guidance and support to schools and to parents and pupils from the Asylum-seeking and Refugee community.
For more information, visit:
Employment
You can find information on applying for jobs:
- phone: Job Centre: 028 9090 9327
- visit: JobApplyNI
- Jobs and skills
The Law Centre NI
The Law Centre NI offers specialist legal advice in the areas of social security, employee rights, immigration and asylum:
Ukrainians in Northern Ireland Community Group
Modern Slavery helpline
For advice and support on modern slavery:
- phone: 0800 0121 700
- visit: Be alert to Modern Day Slavery
Migrant Help
Migrant Help is an organisation giving support and advice services to migrants. For more information:
- phone the free asylum helpline on: 0808 8010 503 (open 24 hours, seven days a week)
- email: info@migranthelpuk.org
For out of hours urgent trafficking queries only:
- phone: 028 9244 8449
Red Cross
The Red Cross helps people in the UK and around the world get the support they need when crisis strikes. For more information:
- phone: 028 9073 5350
- visit: The British Red Cross
Barnardo’s
Barnardo's NI Refugee Support Service helps families and children. Help includes foster services for children and young people who arrive here on their own.
There is also help for children get the healthcare and schooling they need while they are in the UK and giving parents practical support.
Barnardo's have set up the Ukrainian Support Helpline to provide a holistic support service. The helpline is available to anyone fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. For more information:
- phone: 0800 148 8586
- Barnardo’s Ukrainian Support Helpline
Extern
Extern offers support and one to one advice for asylum seekers and refugees on a range of topics including the transition process and benefits.
Belfast City of Sanctuary
Belfast City of Sanctuary’s aim is the promote and build a culture of welcome and hospitality for people seeking sanctuary and a home in Belfast.
Bryson
Bryson's Asylum Advice Service offers asylum seekers information and support for claiming asylum in Northern Ireland.
Welcome Churches
Welcome Churches is a charity with a volunteer network of churches that offer support and community for refugees and people seeking asylum throughout the UK.
The Trussel Trust - food banks
You can find your local Trussell Trust food bank, their contact details and opening times at the following link:
You can also download a list of food banks in Northern Ireland from the Consumer Council website:
The Salvation Army - clothing banks
Helplines NI
Helplines NI is a membership–led organisation of over 30 different helplines across Northern Ireland. The helplines offer vital support services including, information, advice, counselling, a listening ear and befriending, They also offer immediate support to those with a wide-range of health and well-being needs.
Many of the services take place over the phone, but some can help via email, text and in some cases with live web-chat.