Asylum support, accommodation and dispersal

  • While a claim is being examined, an asylum seeker may be eligible for ‘section 95’ support, consisting of accommodation and cash.

  • Destitute refused asylum seekers may be eligible for ‘section 4’ support, consisting of accommodation and a payment card, or accommodation and meals.

  • People receiving accommodation support may be ‘dispersed’ to any part of the country and there is a risk of HIV treatment being interrupted if this process is not carefully managed.

  • Many refusals to provide support have been successfully challenged.

Since 1999 asylum seekers have been subject to a separate system of support from recipients of other state benefits. Initially asylum support was delivered by the National Asylum Support Service and became known as NASS support. NASS's functions have now been taken over by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and support is delivered in different ways, according to the stage of the asylum process that an asylum seeker has reached.

There are specific considerations for people living with HIV at each stage and branch of the process. These will be discussed alongside the discussion of provision at each stage.

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.