Asylum support: housing and money.
If you have claimed asylum and have nowhere to live or no money for food, you may be able to get help from the Home Office.
What this guide covers
Asylum support is housing and money from the Home Office for people who have claimed asylum and would otherwise be destitute. It is applied for separately from your asylum claim. Migrant Help runs the free advice line for asylum support: 0808 801 0503.
Who can get it
You can apply if you have claimed asylum and are homeless or do not have money to buy food. Support can only start from the day your asylum claim is registered.
If your asylum claim has been refused, you can ask for short-term support if you are homeless, have no money for food, and can show a reason why you cannot leave the UK yet (for example you have made further submissions, or you are too ill to travel).
What you can get
| Type | What you can get |
|---|---|
| Housing | A flat, house, hostel or bed and breakfast. You cannot choose where. It is unlikely to be in London or the south-east. |
| Weekly allowance | £49.18 per person, on a payment card (ASPEN card). £9.95 per person if your accommodation provides meals. |
| Pregnancy and young children | Extra £5.25 a week if pregnant; £9.50 for a baby under 1; £5.25 for a child aged 1 to 3. |
| Maternity payment | A one-off £300 if your baby is due in 11 weeks or less, or is under 6 months old (form MAT B1 from your doctor). |
| Health | NHS care, free prescriptions, dental care, eye tests and help with glasses. |
| Refused asylum (section 4) | Housing and £49.18 per person on a payment card (or £9.95 with meals). No cash, and no card without the housing. |
The amounts are reviewed each year. We tell you the current rates when we advise you.
How to apply
- Call Migrant Help on 0808 801 0503 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, 24 hours for emergencies). They help you apply.
- Form ASF1 is the application for housing and cash support. If the normal allowance does not cover your needs, ask about additional support (form ASF2).
- If refused asylum, you also use ASF1, and a section 4(2) medical declaration if you have a medical issue.
- Keep copies of everything you send, and tell your legal representative.
If support is refused or stopped
You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Asylum Support) if your application is refused or your support is stopped. Time limits are very short: for section 4 support, the appeal must reach the Tribunal within 3 working days of receiving the decision. Get help immediately from Migrant Help or an asylum support adviser.
For help applying for asylum support (section 95 or section 4), or with problems with your housing or payments, contact Migrant Help free on 0808 801 0503. They are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and 24 hours for emergencies. We can help you with the immigration side of your case.
If you are granted status
Your support stops after a short period once you are granted. The Home Office guidance says you remain an asylum seeker for support purposes for 28 days after a grant, and support should only stop once you have information on accessing your eVisa. Start planning straight away: read granted: what next?
Common questions
Does asylum support affect my asylum claim?
No. It is a separate application and is decided separately.
Does getting asylum support help with legal aid?
Yes. If you get asylum support, you usually pass the legal aid money test.
General information, not advice on your case
This guide is general information, not legal advice about your case. If you have a decision, a deadline or an interview coming, get advice.
Related guides
Need advice on your own case?
We check legal aid first and tell you plainly where you stand.