Help with Asylum Support
If you are waiting for a decision on your asylum claim and you do not have somewhere safe to stay, or enough money for basic things like food, clothing or toiletries, you may be able to get support from the Home Office.
You have the right to ask for help if:
- you have nowhere to live now, or may lose your accommodation within the next 14 days
- you do not have enough money to meet your basic needs
If your application is approved, you will usually receive accommodation and £49.18 per week for each person in your household to help pay for essential items.
You do not have to face this alone. Our team can help you understand what support is available and help you apply.
Call our freephone number: 0808 196 7273
to book an appointment and speak to someone confidentially.
Problems with your ASPEN card?
When will I get my Aspen card?
On dispersal if you are in receipt of cash or vouchers from the accommodation provider.
If you are in full-board accommodation, you will get your Aspen card three weeks after your application for asylum support has been granted.
If you are in self-catered accommodation, you will get your Aspen card as soon as you arrive at this accommodation.
How do I activate my Aspen card? / How can I start using my Aspen card?
Before you can use your card you must activate it by following these steps:
Telephone 0800 246 1327
When prompted, select the appropriate language
When prompted, choose Option 1: PIN reveal
When prompted, key in the 16-digit number found on the front of your Aspen card
When prompted, key in your date of birth in the format DDMMYY (for example, if your date of birth is 5 February 1975, enter 050275).
You can also call Migrant Help on 0808 8010 503, or raise an issue on their website to report that your Aspen card is lost or stolen and ask for a replacement card.
Telephone 0800 246 1327 to make sure the card is blocked and cannot be used by anybody else.
