Arrangements are already in place to ensure destitute asylum seekers can buy goods that they require to meet their essential living needs. Asylum seekers who are assessed as destitute under Section 95 are provided with a weekly allowance which is loaded on to a debit card (ASPEN card). ASPEN cards can be used to pay for retail transactions at most shops displaying the Mastercard logo, up to the value of the available balance. They can also be used to check available balances at cash machines, to withdraw cash from cash machines and to get cash back when purchasing items at Mastercard participating shops. ASPEN cards cannot be used to make contactless, telephone or internet payments and the card cannot be used overseas.<\/p>
Failed Asylum Seekers who are assessed as destitute under Section 4 will not be able use their card to withdraw cash from a machine or get cashback from shops.<\/p>
As part of normal service, anyone experiencing issues in relation to their ASPEN payment card can report them to our Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) provider,\u202fMigrant Help,\u202f24 hours a day on the\u202ffreephone\u202fnumber.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Murray of Blidworth"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-18T15:43:09.177Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-09-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what arrangements they will put in place to ensure Aspen card holding asylum seekers can exchange a payment from their cards for any goods they require.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3691", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} ], "uin" : "HL9832"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654065", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1654065/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Home Office annually reviews the level of the asylum support rate to assess the correct level of financial support that should be provided to meet essential living needs.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4320", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Jenrick"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newark"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Jenrick"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-24T11:59:06.343Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to publish the next review of the asylum-support allowance.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4396", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rebecca Long Bailey"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Salford and Eccles"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rebecca Long Bailey"} ], "uin" : "194891"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1649766", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1649766/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Legal aid has been and will continue to be available for asylum cases, for victims of domestic abuse and modern slavery, for separated migrant children and for immigration cases where someone is challenging a detention decision.<\/p>
Where asylum support is granted, that individual will remain in receipt of asylum support until a decision is taken to discontinue the support. This could be where the person is no longer destitute, their asylum claim has been determined or where they no longer meet the conditions of support. There is no time limit or renewal period.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4320", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Jenrick"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newark"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Jenrick"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "192180"} , {"_value" : "192181"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-11T16:09:03.577Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of eligibility criteria for legal claims relating to section 95 claims on asylum seekers.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4653", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Morgan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Morgan"} ], "uin" : "192179"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1649767", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1649767/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Legal aid has been and will continue to be available for asylum cases, for victims of domestic abuse and modern slavery, for separated migrant children and for immigration cases where someone is challenging a detention decision.<\/p>
Where asylum support is granted, that individual will remain in receipt of asylum support until a decision is taken to discontinue the support. This could be where the person is no longer destitute, their asylum claim has been determined or where they no longer meet the conditions of support. There is no time limit or renewal period.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4320", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Jenrick"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newark"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Jenrick"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "192179"} , {"_value" : "192181"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-11T16:09:03.61Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of automatic renewal of Section 95 asylum support applications on six monthly basis while an individual's asylum claim is being determined.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4653", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Morgan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Morgan"} ], "uin" : "192180"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1649768", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1649768/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Legal aid has been and will continue to be available for asylum cases, for victims of domestic abuse and modern slavery, for separated migrant children and for immigration cases where someone is challenging a detention decision.<\/p>
Where asylum support is granted, that individual will remain in receipt of asylum support until a decision is taken to discontinue the support. This could be where the person is no longer destitute, their asylum claim has been determined or where they no longer meet the conditions of support. There is no time limit or renewal period.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4320", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Jenrick"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newark"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Jenrick"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "192179"} , {"_value" : "192180"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-11T16:09:03.53Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she has make an assessment of the potential merits of automatic renewal of Section 95 asylum support applications in the context of the volume of pending asylum claims.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4653", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Morgan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Morgan"} ], "uin" : "192181"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1628053", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1628053/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The level of the allowance given to those supported under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (\u201cthe 1999 Act\u201d) is generally reviewed each year to ensure it meets an asylum seeker\u2019s essential living needs. Reports on the reviews are published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-on-review-of-cash-allowance-paid-to-asylum-seekers<\/a>.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4320", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Jenrick"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newark"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Jenrick"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-05-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-05-22T14:18:28.747Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-05-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how her department calculates the weekly allowance received by asylum seekers on aspen cards.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/150", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Harriet Harman"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Camberwell and Peckham"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ms Harriet Harman"}
], "uin" : "185182"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1610411", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1610411/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Home Office does not routinely publish data breaking down the additional expenditure spent on asylum support or illegal migration.<\/p> Home Office expenditure is detailed in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts, with the most recent Annual Report and Accounts for 2021 to 2022 published on 14 July 2022 and available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-office-annual-report-and-accounts-2021-to-2022<\/a>.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4320", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Jenrick"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newark"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Jenrick"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-04-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "180547"}
, {"_value" : "180548"}
, {"_value" : "180549"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-04-24T16:54:45.187Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-04-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 96 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2022-23: Supplementary Estimates, published on 21 February 2023, how the additional £1,614,856,000 for asylum support costs was spent.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4631", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Jones"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sarah Jones"}
], "uin" : "180544"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1581557", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1581557/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Home Office has a legal obligation to provide support to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute. The support package provided usually consists of free, furnished accommodation (with utility bills and council tax paid) and a weekly cash allowance to meet other essential living needs.<\/p> From 21 December 2022 the government increased the main rate of asylum support that is provided under sections 4 and 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 to £45 per week on an interim basis whilst we complete the current annual review of the asylum support allowance.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4320", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Jenrick"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newark"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Robert Jenrick"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-02-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-02-03T17:15:41.383Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-01-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to announce the outcome of the review into asylum support rates.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4786", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Zarah Sultana"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Coventry South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Zarah Sultana"}
], "uin" : "134037"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1580963", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1580963/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The value of financial support provided to asylum seekers is tabled as an annual amendment to the Asylum support Regulation 2000. Providing the complete information requested would exceed the word limit for responses to written parliamentary questions. However, the value of the support has been set in the Statutory Instruments which are publicly available below; links to them are provided, where available.<\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2003<\/p> The Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (legislation.gov.uk)<\/a><\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2004<\/p> The Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (legislation.gov.uk)<\/a><\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2005<\/p> The Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (legislation.gov.uk)<\/a><\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2006<\/p> The Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (legislation.gov.uk)<\/a><\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2007<\/p> The Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (legislation.gov.uk)<\/a><\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2008<\/p> The Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (legislation.gov.uk)<\/a><\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2009<\/p> The Asylum Support (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2009 (legislation.gov.uk)<\/a><\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2010<\/p> The Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (legislation.gov.uk)<\/a><\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2011<\/p> The Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (legislation.gov.uk)<\/a><\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2012<\/p> Not available.<\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2013<\/p> Not available.<\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2014<\/p> Not available.<\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2015<\/p> The Asylum Support (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2015 (legislation.gov.uk)<\/a><\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2016<\/p> Not available.<\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2017<\/p> Not available<\/p> The Asylum Support Regulations 2018<\/p>