Asylum system overview
A person seeking asylum has left their country because they fear persecution and is asking the UK for protection. Claims are assessed by the Home Office under the 1951 Refugee Convention.
A person becomes a refugee when the Home Office recognises that they meet the Convention definition.
Seeking asylum is lawful. The UK is a signatory to the Refugee Convention, which protects the right to ask for asylum and protects people from being returned to danger.
What people can access while waiting for a decision
People waiting for an asylum decision:
- can access NHS healthcare
- have children who can attend school
- may be offered ESOL classes when available locally
People usually cannot work, except in specific, limited circumstances set by the Home Office.
Financial support
The Home Office sets national support rates:
- £49.18 a week per person in self‑catered accommodation
- £9.95 a week per person, where meals are provided
These rates are reviewed every year.
Accommodation
The Home Office provides accommodation for people who would otherwise be destitute. People do not choose where they live. Accommodation is provided on a no‑choice basis across the UK, including through the national full‑dispersal model.