Guidance

Windrush Scheme: support in urgent and exceptional circumstances

This policy explains how support can be provided to people with an urgent and exceptional need that cannot wait for a payment to be made under the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

• From: Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration
• Published: 17 December 2018
• Last updated: 23 August 2022
  Show all updates

  1. 23 August 2022

     The Windrush helpline will be closed on Monday 29 August 2022.

  2. 23 February 2021

     Clarified the circumstances in which an urgent and exceptional payment will be made to people eligible for the Windrush Compensation Scheme but who have not yet made a claim or received an award.

  3. 17 December 2018

     First published.

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

Documents

Windrush scheme: support in urgent and exceptional circumstances (accessible)

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Windrush scheme: support in urgent and exceptional circumstances

PDF, 178 KB, 8 pages

Details

Where an individual that is eligible for the Windrush Compensation Scheme is experiencing an urgent or exceptional need, they may be entitled to a payment ahead of applying for, or receiving, compensation.

This policy sets out the circumstances when these payments might apply, and includes a guide to the supporting information and documents that individuals should consider when requesting urgent and exceptional support.

All enquiries and requests for urgent and exceptional support should be directed to the Windrush Help Team.

Email: commonwealthtaskforce@homeoffice.gov.uk

Telephone: 0800 678 1925

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 3pm