ifram’s STORY

Ifram was forced into armed combat at a young age. He fled to the UK and his application for asylum was successful. However, once granted, his Asylum Support finished after 28 days.

He suffers symptoms of PTSD including nightmares, flashbacks and panic attacks, persistent depressed mood juxtaposed with high levels of anxiety and hyper-vigilance.

As a result of these severe conditions, Ifram is unable to work and applied for ESA (Employment and Support Allowance) with the support of his clinician. The application was not processed for two months. Having been living on less than £40 per week, Ifram had no savings and could not access private rented accommodation and so presented to the local authority as homeless. The local authority did not understand Ifram’s condition and he was given a shared room; the men he was sharing with were afraid of him because of his violent nightmares and became aggressive.

The local authority did not understand Ifram’s condition and he was given a shared room; the men he was sharing with were afraid of him because of his violent nightmares and became aggressive.

Our Housing and Welfare Caseworker supported Ifram to appeal the decision and provided the equivalent of ESA from the Emergency Relief Fund whilst his application was being processed. Ifram has now secured a private room and is hoping to save to move into his own accommodation.