Rights and services for people seeking asylum and refugees
Information on entitlements, support and services for refugees and people seeking asylum
Overview
People seeking asylum and refugees have specific rights, support and services set by the national government. Local councils help people when they arrive, but do not decide who comes to the UK or where they live.
Financial support
People seeking asylum cannot claim welfare benefits or work. The Home Office provides basic financial support to cover essentials:
- £49.18 each week for food, clothing and toiletries
- £9.95 each week if meals are provided through accommodation such as hotels
This support is separate from mainstream benefits.
Housing
Housing for people seeking asylum is provided by the Home Office. It is:
- separate from council housing
- not managed by local councils
- not available to people on any housing register
Councils support people once they arrive, but do not decide where they live.
Legal rights
Under international law, anyone has the right to seek asylum. This applies regardless of how they arrive in the UK. Seeking asylum is a legal process.
Work and skills
Refugees have the right to work in the UK once they receive refugee status.
People seeking asylum cannot usually work while they wait for a decision on their claim. They may apply for permission to work only if they have been waiting for more than twelve months.
If permission is granted, they can apply for jobs on the government’s shortage occupation list.
Healthcare
People seeking asylum can use NHS services for free, including:
- GP appointments
- A&E
- urgent care
- prescriptions
They access healthcare in the same way as other residents.
No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)
No Recourse to Public Funds is an immigration condition that restricts access to most welfare benefits, homelessness assistance and social housing.
We work with local councils, voluntary organisations and people with lived experience to create a clear, consistent approach to supporting children, adults and families with NRPF.
We coordinate emergency accommodation for people with NRPF who are fleeing abuse. This ensures we meet our safeguarding duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.