Section 95 Support for Asylum Seekers in the UK

Last updated: 30 September 2026

Photo: University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom - Alvin Leong

Section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 is the main route to financial support and accommodation for asylum seekers in the UK. If you are waiting for a decision on your asylum claim and you do not have enough money to support yourself, you can apply for Section 95 support. This guide explains who qualifies, how much money you receive, what accommodation you are given, and what happens when your case ends.[1]

Section 95 support is not means-tested in the same way as benefits. However, you must show that you are "destitute" — meaning you cannot meet your essential living needs and do not have the money or assets to do so within the next 14 days. For wider support guidance, see the asylum guide collection.

What Is Section 95 Support?

Section 95 support provides two things: a place to live (accommodation) and a weekly cash allowance (subsistence). The Home Office funds and manages both. The support is provided through contracted accommodation providers and through a payment card called an Azure card or, in newer areas, through bank account transfers.[2]

Section 95 support is separate from mainstream welfare benefits. Asylum seekers generally cannot claim Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, or other means-tested benefits while their claim is pending. Section 95 is the government's alternative system during the waiting period.

Section 95 vs Section 98

Before a Section 95 application is decided, the Home Office may provide emergency Section 98 support. Section 98 is a temporary measure for people who have just claimed asylum and are at immediate risk of destitution. It provides emergency accommodation only, usually in Initial Accommodation (IA) centres. Once Section 95 is approved, Section 98 ends and full support begins.

Who Qualifies for Section 95 Support

To qualify for Section 95 support, you must meet three conditions. First, you must be an asylum seeker — meaning you have made a claim for asylum and a final decision has not yet been made, or you are within the appeals process. Second, you must be destitute — you have less than £5 available and cannot meet your essential needs within 14 days. Third, you must not be excluded from support by law.[3]

Exclusions apply to some people who are considered to have come to the UK in breach of immigration laws and who did not claim asylum "as soon as reasonably practicable." However, these exclusions are often challenged legally. If you are refused on grounds of late claim, seek legal advice immediately.

Children and families

Families with dependent children under 18 are generally always entitled to Section 95 support. The destitution test still applies, but the Home Office cannot withdraw support from families with children pending their claim. Children receive additional support including a maternity payment of £300 and a baby needs payment for each new child.

How Much Money Do You Receive?

The Section 95 cash allowance is reviewed each April. As of April 2026, the rates are set out in the table below. These rates apply to people housed in Home Office accommodation. People who have their own accommodation receive a higher rate to cover housing costs as well as living costs.[4]

Home Office Accommodation

If you need housing as well as financial support, the Home Office will provide accommodation. You cannot usually choose where you are housed. The Home Office uses contracted accommodation providers across the UK. Most asylum seekers are dispersed to accommodation outside London. Common locations include Birmingham, Liverpool, Glasgow, Belfast, Cardiff, and many other cities and towns.[5]

Accommodation types include Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), hotels, and hostels. Conditions vary. The Home Office has faced criticism and legal challenges over the quality of some accommodation, particularly hotels used for emergency overflow. If your accommodation is in poor condition — for example damp, unsafe, or overcrowded — you can raise a complaint with the Home Office or the contracted provider.

Moving accommodation

The Home Office can move you to different accommodation without much notice. This can disrupt legal cases and schooling for children. If a proposed move would seriously damage your asylum case — for example, by separating you from your legal representative — your solicitor may be able to challenge it. Tell your legal adviser immediately if you are told you are being moved.

How to Apply for Section 95 Support

You apply for Section 95 support by completing form ASF1. This form is available from the Home Office and from legal aid solicitors and charities. You will need to show evidence of your destitution — bank statements, a letter from your landlord, evidence of your outgoings.[6]

1. Get the form: Download ASF1 from GOV.UK or collect from a Migrant Help advice line.
2. Complete the form: Answer all questions fully and honestly. Attach supporting documents.
3. Submit the form: Send to the Asylum Support (ASYS) team by post or email, or through Migrant Help.
4. Emergency support: If you have no money and nowhere to sleep tonight, call Migrant Help on 0808 8010 503. They can arrange emergency Section 98 support.
5. Decision: The Home Office must decide within 7 days for emergency applications and within 3 weeks for standard applications.

When Support Ends

Section 95 support continues during your asylum claim and any appeal. When you receive a final positive decision — meaning you are granted refugee status, humanitarian protection, or leave to remain — the support ends after a 28-day "move-on" period. During these 28 days, you must apply for mainstream benefits and find alternative accommodation.[7]

If your claim is finally refused, support ends after the appeals process is exhausted. You may then be eligible for Section 4 support (a different scheme for failed asylum seekers who cannot leave the UK immediately). Section 4 is more restrictive and harder to access. If you receive a final refusal, get legal advice immediately about Section 4 and any further appeal options.

Related Support: What Else Can You Claim?

Asylum seekers on Section 95 support can access certain additional entitlements. These include free NHS healthcare (not including dental and optical in most cases), free school education for children, and access to emergency social services support for children in need. You cannot work unless you have been waiting more than 12 months for a first decision and you are not responsible for the delay.[8]

For more on healthcare access, see the asylum guide healthcare article. For more on working rights, see the work during asylum guide.

Conclusion

Section 95 support is the main lifeline for asylum seekers in the UK while they wait for a decision. The 2026 weekly rate of £49.18 per person is low but provides a base. Accommodation is provided by contracted providers across the UK. Applying is straightforward using form ASF1, but the 28-day move-on period after a positive decision is short — start planning early. If you lose support unexpectedly, challenge the decision immediately with a legal aid solicitor. For broader asylum process guidance, see the human rights and asylum support sections.