Current support amounts
This page explains how much money you will receive if you are an asylum applicant who qualifies for help with living costs.
We call this cash support. For information on who can receive this help and how it is paid, see Cash support.
The amount of cash support we pay is based on the amount of income support paid to permanent residents of the United Kingdom by the Department for Work and Pensions. It takes into account the fact that, unlike permanent residents who receive income support, asylum applicants do not have to pay bills for essentials such as electricity, gas and water.
The current rates of support are:
- Qualifying couple (married or in a civil partnership): £69.57
- Lone parent aged 18 or over: £42.16
- Single person aged 18 or over, excluding lone parent: £35.13
- Person aged at least 16, but under 18 (except a member of a qualifying couple): £38.18
- Person aged under 16: £50.81
The rate for a single person aged 25 or over (excluding lone parent), where the decision to grant support was made prior to the 5 October 2009 and the person reached age 25 prior to that date, is £42.16. However, this rate will not be be offered to any new applicant applying for support after 5 October 2009.
If you are a woman who is pregnant or has children under the age of three, you are entitled to extra money. For more information, see Extra money for mothers and children.
Your case owner can give you more information about these payments.
See also
Terms explained
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Dependant
Someone who depends on you financially, such as a husband, wife, partner, or child.