Many areas of Scotland have now started accepting refugees being resettled under the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement (VPR) Programme. A co-ordinated response between the DWP, local authorities, Scottish Government, housing providers and other key partners has been put into place so that there should not be any delays in those resettled under the programme getting access to DWP administered benefits. This includes fast track national insurance number allocation and assistance at a single jobcentre appointment to make all appropriate applications. So far feedback suggests that this co-ordinated approach is working but campaigners still have a number of concerns:
There are no exceptions to the past presence rules for refugees claiming disability living allowance, personal independence payments, attendance allowance or carer’s allowance. As such, those resettled under the programme will still have to wait 2 years before they can claim these benefits
Maternity grants aren’t normally available to families which include a child under 16. Again there are no exceptions to this rule for refugees
HMRC who administer child benefit and child tax credit are not involved in the co-ordinated response and it is unclear how long it is taking to process claims from the refugees resettled under this programme
It is hoped that the co-ordinated approach taken to assisting Syrians under this programme can be extended to others granted refugee status or other forms of leave to remain following an asylum application.