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You can apply for a refugee integration loan to pay for things like:

• a rent deposit or rent
• household items
• education and training for work

You must be over 18 and one of the following:

• a refugee
• you have humanitarian protection
• a dependant of a refugee or someone with humanitarian protection

You can apply for the loan either by yourself or with your partner.

Integration loans are interest-free - you only pay back what you borrow, but you must make regular payments.

If you鈥檙e applying by yourself, you can borrow between 拢100 and 拢500.

If you鈥檙e applying with your partner, you can borrow between 拢100 and 拢780.

What you can use your loan for

You can only use the loan for things that are essential to help you to settle into UK society, including:

• a housing deposit, rent payment or moving costs
• essential items for your home
• training or education
• basic living costs (such as food or household bills)
• work clothing and equipment

What you cannot use your loan for

You cannot use the loan to pay for certain things, including:

• debts
• travel costs for family members to join you in the UK

The loan will be paid directly into your bank or building society account.

Repaying the loan

If your application is successful, you鈥檒l be sent a loan agreement which will tell you how to repay the loan.

You will not have to start repaying the loan until 6 weeks after you get the money.

How much your repayments are and how you pay will depend on your circumstances. You may have to pay more and in a shorter time if you start working and your benefits change.

For example, if you鈥檙e receiving Universal Credit, you鈥檒l pay back up to 拢25 a month. If you work full-time, you鈥檒l need to pay back 拢50 a month.

Your loan will not usually affect any income-related benefits you get unless you have more than 拢6,000 in savings.

You must be over 18 and one of the following:

• a refugee
• you have humanitarian protection
• a dependant of a refugee or someone with humanitarian protection

You can also apply for a joint loan with your husband, wife or partner.

You cannot apply if you:

• are under 18
• are an asylum seeker who鈥檚 been allowed to settle by a decision outside the Immigration Rules
• have had an integration loan before, including a joint loan

You must apply online for an integration loan.

To apply you鈥檒l need your:

• biometric residence permit (BRP) - if you have one and you apply less than 18 months after the expiry date printed on the card
• Home Office reference number - you can find this on your asylum application letter
• bank or building society account details

You鈥檒l also need to provide your National Insurance number. If you do not have one, you must apply for one at your local Jobcentre Plus before you apply for an integration loan.

If you鈥檝e already applied by post or email

You can no longer apply by post or email. If you sent an application by post or email before 18 May 2020 your application will still be reviewed. You do not need to do anything.

Get more help

Your local refugee community organisation can help you with your application and filling in the form.

You can also contact the integration loan team.

After you鈥檝e applied

You鈥檒l get a decision within 4 weeks.

If your application is successful, you鈥檒l get an email or letter asking you to accept a loan agreement. After you accept the agreement, you鈥檒l receive your loan payment.

If you have not been contacted about your application after 4 weeks, email the integration loan team.