The Home Office can provide accommodation and financial support under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 to a person who is seeking asylum and is destitute, or is likely to become destitute within 14 days.
Section 95 support can be provided as:
Support will normally continue until the person's asylum claim has been finally determined by the Home Office and any appeal rights have been exhausted.
Families with a child under 18 will usually remain on section 95 support if they become appeal rights exhausted (ARE) following an unsuccessful asylum claim.
Financial support is paid through an ASPEN card, which can be used to buy essential items such as food, clothing and toiletries.
The current weekly rates are:
People who are provided with full-board accommodation which includes meals receive a reduced weekly allowance of £9.95 per person.
The Home Office considers normal section 95 support to cover day-to-day living costs, including:
A person receiving section 95 support may be able to obtain additional support under section 96(2) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 where they have exceptional needs or costs that are not covered by normal asylum support.
Additional support may include:
The Home Office may provide additional support where a person has:
Further information is available in the Home Office guidance on additional support under section 96.
Page updated: 13 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).
