Unlawful HIV+ Migrants Detention

posted: 19/04/2010

Two people with HIV are claiming that the Home Office (and UK Border Agency) are illegally failing to provide them with adequate HIV treatment and care while they are held in detention for months. The same solicitors who took the Department of Health to courts for charging refused asylum seekers and other migrants for their HIV treatment, Pierce Glynn, are dealing with these two cases.

HIV+ migrants detention not ' very exceptional'

Home Office guidance says that someone with a serious medical condition (like HIV) should only be detained if there are “very exceptional circumstances.” Despite this, the Home Office has failed to justify detention of either person as ‘very exceptional’. Additionally, the standard of healthcare provided in immigration removal centres falls well below that which is essential for people with a serious condition such as HIV. For both people, during many months of detention, their HIV treatments have run out several times, and they have not been taken to appointments with their HIV consultant.

These two cases illustrate the concerns raised repeatedly by HIV organisations and HIV clinicians. These Judicial Review hearings should take place in the next two months.

Released after 8 months
In a related case, the same solicitors, Pierce Glynn, obtained the release of another HIV+ detainee who was held for eight months, again with no exceptional circumstances to justify this detention. After solicitors letters threatened a judicial review, the Home Office released the person. The solicitors are now suing the Home Office for damages due to the lengthy and unnecessary detention, and their failure to provide appropriate medical care.

Source 
 

Free Computer and Internet for Children

posted: 14/01/2010

Want a grant from the government of up to £528 for a computer and internet access? Grants are now available for low income families with children living in England who don’t have access to the internet. This includes people on NASS or UK Border Agency Support.

Depending on what you need, you can get up to £528 to spend on a computer (the computer type could be a lap-top, desk-top, or net-book), and the cost of one year’s internet access.

Who can get this?
You need children in school years 3 to 9. This will normally mean children who are from 7 to 14 years old, at a state school.
 

It’s for families with lower incomes. This means

• if your child has free school meals OR 
• you receive income support OR 
• you get income-based Job Seekers Allowance OR 
• you get child tax credit OR
• you get income-based Employment Support Allowance OR
• you get NASS or UK Border Agency support while claiming asylum (but not section 4 support) [It has to be ‘support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999’]

How to claim

• Ring the helpline for parents 0333 200 1004 for an application form. They will ask you some simple questions to check you can claim.
• Fill in the application form and send it with proof
• You get a decision within 3 weeks (and your proof documents returned – The decision will either be

1. No, OR
2. send more information, OR
3. Yes

If Yes, approved, you will get

• a Notice of Entitlement
• Instructions on how to get the computer and internet
• They tell you who can supply the computer and internet package
• A Home Access Grant payment card preloaded with the money
• A PIN number (in another letter)

You then contact the supplier you choose to get the computer and internet package.

The rules are explained in more detail here

Companies offering the Home Access computer scheme
You can only get compter and internet access through companies that are part of the scheme. So far these include

• Bli Education 
• Centreprise 
• Comet 
• Misco
• Positive IT Solutions 
• XMA 

How many people can get these grants?

The scheme will run for the next 18 months but there is a maximum of 270,000 grants available, one per household. We think the grants could run out quickly.

How to apply?

Call 0333 200 1004
 

Details at Home Access.

Please tell people who don’t have computers, who have school age children.
 

Asylum Support Section 4 Changes

posted: 13/11/2009

Important changes were made to Section Four Support on 14 October, by the UK Borders Agency. These changes are likely to cause serious difficulties for destitute asylum seekers.

On 14 October the UKBA introduced a surprise new policy for Section 4 support for people who apply for it on the grounds of making a fresh asylum claim. These changes apply immediately and may cause serious difficulties for destitute asylum seekers who are applying for support.

Read the detailed factsheet from the Asylum Support Appeals Project.

HIV+ Asylum Seekers' Hardship

posted: 09/02/2009

A leading charity has said the government is not doing enough to help asylum seekers who are living with HIV or AIDS. Crusaid, the charity making grants to people living with HIV in need, revealed that 55% wait more than four years for a Home Office decision on their right to remain. During this time, many of them will lack the basic facilities to maintain their health.
 

The figures were released at Crusaid's second HIV and Poverty conference last week.
Speaking at the conference Neil Gerrard MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary group on Refugees, said:
"I think it is really striking - the change over the years of the number of people who are coming to the Crusaid Hardship Fund who are also in the immigration system. This degree of poverty is astounding. Fifty five percent is a shocking percentage and included in that would be people who even according to the regulations as tough as they are, should be getting health care."
 

Crusaid said that living in uncertainty and with a new diagnosis, asylum seekers face serious health deterioration but don't have enough money to pay for the necessities that would keep them fit.
 

"I’m afraid, sadly that there is evidence that people who suffer from stigma and discrimination do experience it from healthcare professionals," said Mr Gerrard. "We are told that this doesn’t happen, but there is evidence that it does. It’s a general problem and it’s not fair to say that it’s out there in the public and the health system is fine, I’m afraid that’s just not the case. There’s a real need for education for people working in healthcare."
 

The Crusaid Hardship Fund supports some of the most vulnerable people in the UK today living with HIV and AIDS, many of whom have no recourse to any public funds, or the right to work and earn a living.

George House Trust makes applications to Crusaid on behalf of people living with HIV in the NW of England and then makes any payments decided by Crusaid. It works well for people living with HIV and for Crusaid. All applications to Crusaid Hardship Fund need to have the support of a professional social worker assessment. George House Trust provides this and deals with all the paperwork. 

Source