The Home Office can provide accommodation and financial support under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 to a person whose asylum claim has been unsuccessful and who has become appeal rights exhausted (ARE).
To qualify, a person must be destitute and meet at least one of the following conditions:
Section 4 support is provided with accommodation. Unlike section 95 support, a person cannot receive financial support only.
Financial support is provided on a payment card and can be used to buy essential items such as food, clothing and toiletries. Section 4 support is cashless, which means cash cannot be withdrawn from an ATM.
Support rates are the same as those provided under section 95 support:
People whose accommodation includes meals receive a reduced weekly allowance of £9.95.
Further information is available in the Home Office guidance on section 4 support.
A person receiving section 95 support will no longer qualify for that support when they become appeal rights exhausted, unless they have a dependent child under 18 living in their household. If they meet the criteria for section 4 support, they must make an application as they will not normally be transferred automatically from section 95 support.
If a child is born after section 95 support has ended, this will not make the family eligible for section 95 support. However, they may still qualify for section 4 support if the eligibility requirements are met.
Page updated: 14 July 2026
The status of a person whose asylum or immigration claim has been refused when they have come to the end of the appeal process without success or have no further right of appeal.
A person who has made a claim to the UK government for protection (asylum) under the United Nations Refugee Convention 1951 and is waiting for a decision from the Home Office or final decision from the appeal courts (following a refusal).
