Eligibility Definition

You are eligible for assistance from the Council if you are:

• a British or Irish citizen living in the UK

• an EU citizen working in the UK or with permanent residence

• from outside the EU but allowed to claim benefits

If you are British and have recently lived abroad you may need to show that you are now settled in the UK.

If you are from abroad immigration and residence restrictions may limit the help that you can receive from the Council. It is important that you show the Council any documentation you have regarding your status. You will not be able to get help from the Council if your immigration status means you have no recourse to public funds.

If you have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection you will usually qualify for help, but not if your leave to remain in the UK has ended.

You will not qualify for help from the Council if you are seeking asylum.