You can ask for somewhere to live, a cash allowance or both as an asylum seeker. Housing You’ll be given somewhere to live if you need it. This could be in a flat, house, hostel or bed and breakfast. You cannot choose where you live. It’s unlikely you’ll get to live in London or south-east England. Cash support You’ll usually get £49.18 for each person in your household. This will help you pay for things you need like food, clothing and toiletries. Your allowance will be loaded onto a debit card (ASPEN card) each week. You’ll be able to use the card to get cash from a cash machine. If your accommodation provides your meals You’ll get £8.86 for each person in your household instead. If you’ve been refused asylum but you’re still eligible for support You’ll be given: somewhere to live £49.18 per person on a payment card for food, clothing and toiletries (or £8.86 per person if your accommodation provides your meals) You will not be given: the payment card if you do not take the offer of somewhere to live any money Extra money for mothers and young children You’ll get extra money to buy healthy food if you’re pregnant or a mother of a child aged 3 or under. The amount you get will depend on your situation. Your situation Extra payment per week Pregnant mother £5.25 Baby under 1 year old £9.50 Child aged 1 to 3 £5.25 Maternity payment You can apply for a one-off £300 maternity payment if your baby is due in 11 weeks or less, or if your baby is under 6 months old. Applying for the maternity grant You apply for the maternity grant in the same way whether you’re still an asylum seeker or you’ve been refused asylum. You’ll need to request form MAT B1 from your doctor to apply for the payment. You can apply for the maternity payment at the same time you apply for asylum support. If you get pregnant after you’ve applied for asylum support, you can apply to Migrant Help . Healthcare You may get free National Health Service ( NHS ) healthcare, such as to see a doctor or get hospital treatment. You’ll also get: free prescriptions for medicine free dental care for your teeth free eyesight tests help paying for glasses Education Your children must attend school if they are aged 5 to 17 . All state schools are free and your children may be able to get free school meals .

You can apply for asylum support if you’re homeless or do not have money to buy food. If you’ve been refused asylum You can ask for the following if you’re homeless, do not have any money to buy food and you can show that there’s a reason why you cannot leave the UK yet: short-term housing help with prescriptions for medicine, dental care for your teeth, eyesight tests and glasses a payment card for food and toiletries You will not be given the payment card without the housing and you will not be given any cash.

Housing and cash support for asylum seekers Apply using form ASF1 to claim housing and cash support. Send the form to the asylum support casework team. Asylum Support Casework Team PO Box 471 Dover CT16 9FN S95NewApplications@migranthelpuk.org You might be able to apply for additional support if the general allowance will not cover your needs. You’ll have to show that you cannot meet your needs in any other way. Read the guidance on additional support . Fill in form ASF2 and contact the Asylum Support Application Service. The details are on the form. Call an asylum helpline for help with applications. If you’re refused asylum You must return to your country as soon as possible if you’re refused asylum. You can apply for short-term support using form ASF1 . You’ll need to complete a ‘section 4(2)’ medical declaration if you have a specific medical issue. You can also apply for additional help (section 4(2) support) , for example: medical appointments getting your new baby’s birth certificate maternity payments Read the guidance on section 4(2) support . Send all forms to the asylum support casework team by email or post. Asylum Support Casework Team PO Box 471 Dover CT16 9FN S4@migranthelpuk.org Education for children Contact your local council if you have children and want to: apply for a primary school place apply for a secondary school place Healthcare Contact the free National Health Service ( NHS ) 111 service for help and advice with health problems when it’s not an emergency. NHS 111 Telephone: 111 Textphone: 18001 111 Phone NHS Help With Health Costs for help with prescriptions for medicine, dental care, eyesight tests and buying glasses. NHS Help With Health Costs Telephone: 0300 330 1343 Find out about call charges Help and advice Call one of the asylum helplines to get free advice about the asylum process or adapting to life in the UK.

Appeal You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Asylum Support) if: you’ve applied for asylum support and been turned down you were claiming asylum support and it’s been stopped Contact asylum support You can contact Migrant Help if your application for support has been refused or you have questions about your appeal against the decision. Migrant Help Telephone: 0808 801 0503 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm (24-hour service for emergencies) Find out about call charges

Asylum support

Overview

You may be able to get housing and money to support you and your family while you’re waiting to find out if you’ll be given asylum.

This also means your children will go to a free state school and you may get free healthcare from the National Health Service (NHS).

You can still apply for short-term support if you’ve been refused asylum and are preparing to leave the UK.

Call an asylum helpline for free help with asylum support or short-term support.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Asylum support

Overview

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Asylum support

Overview

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