Resource

This submission looks at the basic needs provided for by asylum support payments, with reference to the Home Office’s reports on the allowances paid to asylum seekers and failed asylum seekers from 2020 and 2021, and the increases made since then, and the most pressing issues that have been identified by HBF in relation to our clients.

Many of HBF's clients receive asylum support, including under sections 95, 98 and 4(2) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. The low asylum support rates affect them in myriad ways, permeating much of their life in the UK and with a detrimental impact on their emotional, material and physical wellbeing. In our collective clinical experience at HBF, the low rates of financial support provided to our clients can cause them considerable distress and add to their low self-esteem and mental health problems. This can significantly impede their engagement with and progress in therapy. Asylum support rates must be raised to more realistically reflect the needs of asylum seekers - we set out our recommendations in the submission. Click on the arrow below to read more.