Entitlement to asylum support
This content applies to England only.
Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland
Are you 18 years of age or older? Have you applied for asylum in the UK? Are you still waiting for a decision on your asylum claim? Do you need help with your living costs or somewhere to live?
If you can answer 'yes' to all four questions, you may be entitled to asylum support. However, if you didn't apply for asylum at the port of entry, you may have to provide evidence of the date you arrived in the UK. This could affect your support entitlements.
If you answered 'no' to any of them but you have a child (or children) under 18, or have special needs, you may still be entitled to asylum support.
Are you under 18 years of age?
If you are an asylum seeker under 18, and have arrived in the UK without an adult, you can get help from your local council's social services department. They will provide you with accommodation, food and clothing. All unaccompanied asylum-seeking children should contact the Refugee Council's Children's Panel on 0808 808 0500.
Once you are 18, you will become eligible for asylum support but social services will be legally obliged to provide ongoing help and support until you reach 21 (or 24 if you are studying full-time). You should get advice to find out how each option will affect your rights before you turn 18.
Do you have a disability or special needs?
If you are an asylum seeker and you (or your child/children) have a disability or special needs, you may be able to get housing and support from your local council's social services department. This may be the case if you:
- have learning or physical disabilities
- are ill
- are pregnant
- have recently left a mental institution
- have recently turned 18 and were looked after by social services before your 18th birthday (see above).
Social services can sometimes adapt accommodation to make it more suitable for you, or pay for any special services that will help you to live independently. They can also arrange specialist support such as counselling.
Do you have your own accommodation?
If you have somewhere to stay but no money to support yourself, you can apply to the UKBA for financial support to pay for food and other basic costs. The UKBA will not pay your rent or utility bills.
If you have been living with family or friends but need to move out, you can reapply to the UKBA for both accommodation and support.
Do you have money or assets?
If you have access to money or property that you could sell, you may not be eligible for asylum support. The UKBA will take into account any assets that you have, including:
- money in the form of cash, savings, or investments
- valuable possessions, including cars
- property or land.
If you have any of the above, but you cannot access them (because they are abroad, for example), you will have to explain this in the form. The UKBA should still help you in these circumstances.
