Form

Guidance

Published 16 February 2022

Situation

The Home Office provides support to adult potential and confirmed victims of modern slavery through the government-funded Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC). One of the elements of support provided through the MSVCC is the provision of a weekly financial payment to support affected individuals to meet their essential living needs and to access services and support necessary to assist with their social, phycological and physical recovery needs arising from their modern slavery experience. These payments are widely referred to as subsistence payments.

We acknowledge potential victims of modern slavery may have received incorrect financial support payments during their time in the (then) Victim Care Contract (VCC) support between 1 April 2015 and 30 November 2019. There are two scenarios where this could have happened. Firstly, as a result of the individual receiving alternative sources of income and secondly, with some individuals in initial asylum accommodation. We are proceeding with a programme to assess claims and issue back-payments to those who have been affected.

If you have been affected

The Home Office has put in place a process so that individuals who may have been affected can have their claim assessed. Where applicable, affected individuals will receive a full back-payment as soon as possible.

Eligibility for a back-payment

You may be entitled to a back-payment if, at any point between 1 April 2015 and 30 November 2019:

• you were receiving support through the (then) VCC as a potential or confirmed victim of modern slavery; and
• you were in receipt of an alternative source of income during this period in addition to financial support from the (then) VCC (e.g. government-provided benefits or a salary received through employment)

Amount of back-payment

If you are entitled to a back-payment, the amount of money you could receive will be based on:

• how long you were receiving (then) VCC support between 1 April 2015 and 30 November 2019;
• an assessment of what you were paid whilst receiving support; and
• what you were entitled to be paid during that time

Claim a back-payment

1. If the Home Office has assessed you as being eligible for a back-payment (because your VCC support payments were reduced as a result of you receiving alternative sources of income, for example benefits), you may receive a letter from the Home Office explaining your entitlement. You will be asked to complete a short form to confirm you would like to accept the offer of a back-payment and the bank account details you would like to be paid into.

The letter will explain how to send the completed form.

If you do not currently receive MSVCC support, you will receive payment via the Home Office.

If you do currently receive MSVCC support, your support provider will arrange for payment to be issued to you.

2. If the Home Office has assessed you as being eligible for a back-payment (but it isn’t clear whether you received alternative sources of income), you may receive a letter from the Home Office requesting further information. You will be asked to complete a short form and the letter will explain how to send this completed form for assessment by the Home Office

3. If you feel you have been affected by incorrect VCC financial support reductions, you can:

a. Complete and return the application form, including any evidence in support of your claim and submit this to:

VCCbackpayments@homeoffice.gov.uk

Or

If you do not have internet access, please send the completed form by post to:

Back-Payments Team
Home Office
Single Competent Authority
1st Floor, Waterside House
471 Kirkstall Rd
Kirkstall
Leeds
LS4 2QB

b. If you currently receive MSVCC support, speak to your support provider who can make a referral to the Home Office on your behalf

If you require support to fill out the application form, please speak with your support provider or if you have any concerns about your payment or this process, please contact: VCCbackpayments@homeoffice.gov.uk

Please note: applications on behalf of claimants by their legal representative/current MSVCC support provider/The Salvation Army or a carer (for those individuals with disabilities and other needs) can be accepted, provided a letter of authority is sent to the Home Office. Applications will not be accepted on behalf of a claimant without a letter of authority.

Part 6 of the application form must be filled by these appropriate, stipulated parties acting for the claimant.

More information

If you have any questions or concerns about the process, contact: VCCbackpayments@homeoffice.gov.uk If you have any concerns about managing your money or budgeting, there are several free and impartial resources that we recommend:

• your support worker if you are still being supported by the MSVCC
• Citizens Advice Bureau or telephone 03444 111 444
• Money Advice Service or telephone 0800 138 7777

The UK General Data Protection Regulations (UKGDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 govern how we use personal data. For details of how we will use your personal information and who we may share it with please see our Privacy Information Notice for the Single Competent Authority . This Privacy Information Notice explains that the Home Office may share your information with other organisations and government departments in the course of carrying out our functions, or to enable others to perform their functions, functions including supporting and assisting victims of modern slavery. The Notice also explains your key rights under the Act, how you can access your personal information and how to complain if you have concerns.