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New scheme helps asylum seekers swap vouchers for cash
JRS UK, in collaboration with the community organisation South
London Citizens (SLC), recently launched an initiative to give
asylum seekers cash for their supermarket vouchers.
In the UK asylum seekers are not allowed to claim benefits or
work. They often have to rely on support from churches and
community groups for accommodation and healthcare. In certain
circumstances, asylum seekers are provided with £35 a week of
supermarket vouchers to buy food.
Congolese asylum seeker Azerpay explained that vouchers offer no
choice for food selection. Often it is cheaper to go to a local
market to buy food and supermarkets do not give change in
exchange for vouchers. Asylum seekers also need additional cash
to pay for travel to interviews and to visit solicitors.
Mesu, who is seven months pregnant, wants to prepare for her
baby’s arrival. Being able to exchange vouchers for cash means
she can buy a basic layette for her baby. She can also purchase
a bus pass to go to her English classes in the evening.
The vouchers are issued to asylum seekers under the UK asylum
laws. These include individuals who have a judicial review
pending on their case, those who have introduced a fresh asylum
claim or have agreed to return to their country of origin and
agreed to be supported in this way in the meantime.
For more information on the scheme contact JRS UK at
uk(a)jrs.net.
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