People who have had problems because they couldn’t prove their legal right to live in the UK could be eligible for £10,000 or more in compensation.
The Home Office is seeking to tackle misinformation around who can apply for the Windrush Compensation Scheme by reaffirming that it is available to people of all nationalities and ages – including those from African and Asian backgrounds.
The compensation scheme was launched in April 2019 following the Windrush Scandal, in which many people who legally came to the UK from Commonwealth countries several decades ago were wrongly denied services and threatened with imprisonment or deportation. A service is also offered to support people in securing the right documents needed to prove their legal right to live and work in the UK.
While much of the Windrush Generation is made up of people from the Caribbean – hence its namesake being the ship that brought the first wave of British subjects to England from Jamaica in 1948 – the term also refers to people from Commonwealth countries in Africa and Asia.
Therefore, people who came to the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1973 (or their offspring), or came to the UK from any country before the end of 1988 may be eligible for compensation if they have suffered losses such as:
- losing a job
- being denied access to services such as housing, benefits or free healthcare
- experiencing problems travelling
- being wrongly detained or deported
- non-financial impacts such as anxiety and distress
To apply to the Windrush Compensation Scheme and find out more, go to GOV.UK/WindrushHelpTeam or call the Windrush Help Team for free at 0800 6781925.
Further support and free legal services are available from the following organisations:
Berkshire
- Reading Windrush Alliance
info@readingwindrushalliance.org.uk | 07954 146245 - Utulivu Women’s Group
utulivu.co.uk | 0118 3345056
Derbyshire
- Derbyshire Law Centre
derbyshirelawcentre.org.uk | 01246 550674 - Derby West Indian Community Association
dwica.co.uk | 01332 371529
London
- Rafiki Wema
rafikiwema.org | 0203 3369313 - United Legal Access
unitedlegalaccess.com | 07923 990644
Nottinghamshire
- Mojatu Foundation
mojatufoundation.org | 0115 7846666 - United Legal Access
unitedlegalaccess.com | 07923 990644
People who need help accessing or using the internet may also be eligible for free assisted digital services from We Are Group by calling 0808 1968496 or texting “Visa” to 07537 416944. The service is open on weekdays from 9.00am to 6.00pm.
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