Benefits for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in the UK
Financial support and benefits available to refugees and asylum seekers in the UK in 2026. Covers asylum support, refugee integration, what you can claim after getting leave to remain, and where to get help.
Benefits information is based on current DWP and HMRC rules. Entitlements depend on your personal circumstances. For free personalised help, contact Citizens Advice or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
Contents
Financial support depends on your immigration status. Here’s what’s available for asylum seekers and recognised refugees.
Support by Immigration Status
Status
Can Claim Mainstream Benefits?
What’s Available
Asylum seeker (waiting for decision)
No
Asylum support (Home Office)
Refugee (leave to remain)
Yes
All mainstream benefits
Humanitarian protection
Yes
All mainstream benefits
Discretionary leave
Yes
All mainstream benefits
No recourse to public funds (NRPF)
No (unless condition is lifted)
Limited emergency support
EU settled status
Yes
All mainstream benefits
EU pre-settled status
Limited
Depends on residence and employment
Asylum Support
Section 95 Support (During Asylum Claim)
Feature
Detail
Accommodation
Provided by Home Office (no choice of location)
Financial support
£49.18/week per person (self-catered); £9.95/week per person if catered accommodation is provided
Extra for pregnant women
Additional £5.25/week
Extra for children aged 1-3
Additional £5.25/week
Extra for babies under 1
Additional £9.50/week
One-off maternity payment
£300 if the baby is due within 11 weeks or under 6 months old
Council Tax
Not payable in asylum accommodation
NHS
Free (full access)
Education for children
Free (local school placement)
Section 4 Support (Failed Asylum Seekers)
If your asylum claim is refused but you cannot return to your home country:
Feature
Detail
Accommodation
May be provided
Financial support
Paid on a payment card (Azure card) — confirm the current rate, as Section 4 rates are set separately from Section 95 and can differ
Restrictions
Cannot work, cannot claim benefits
What Asylum Seekers CAN Access
Service
Available?
NHS treatment
Yes — fully free
School for children
Yes — free
Free school meals
Yes
Legal aid for asylum case
Yes
Work (after 12 months waiting)
Limited — shortage occupation list only
Voluntary work
Yes
Free English classes
Some areas
After Receiving Refugee Status
The 28-Day Move-On Period
When you receive leave to remain, you have 28 days before asylum support ends. Use this time to:
Task
Action
Week 1
Obtain your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), open a bank account, get your NI number
Week 1-2
Claim UC at your nearest Jobcentre, apply for Housing Benefit/Council Tax Reduction
Week 2-3
Contact your local council for housing help, register with a GP
Week 3-4
Begin looking for work, access integration services
Benefits You Can Now Claim
Benefit
How to Claim
Universal Credit
Online at gov.uk or Jobcentre
Housing Benefit / UC housing element
Through UC or local council
Council Tax Reduction
Local council
Child Benefit
HMRC (form CH2)
Free school meals
Local council
Healthy Start vouchers
If pregnant or with children under 4
PIP
If you have a disability
Carer’s Allowance
If caring for someone
UC Advance Payment
You can request a UC advance payment at your first Jobcentre appointment — this provides an emergency payment within days while your first regular UC payment is processed (usually 5 weeks).
Integration Support
Organisation
What They Provide
Refugee Council
Advice, advocacy, integration support
Citizens Advice
Benefits advice, housing help
Migrant Help
Asylum support advice
British Red Cross
Destitution support, family reunion
Local refugee organisations
Language support, community integration
ESOL providers
Free English language classes
Post-Grant Appointment Service (PGAS)
The Home Office PGAS service helps newly recognised refugees:
Understand their rights and entitlements
Apply for benefits
Find accommodation
Access integration services
No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)
If you have a visa condition of NRPF:
Option
Detail
Apply to lift NRPF condition
If you’re destitute or at risk of destitution
Local authority support
Under Section 17 (Children Act) if you have children
Domestic abuse exception
The Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC, formerly the destitution domestic violence concession) lifts NRPF for 3 months