Donate

Asylum Seekers - Benefits and asylum seekers

There are special rules about benefits for asylum seekers.

Last reviewed 19 June 2023

Benefits and asylum seekers

As an asylum seeker you are excluded from most benefits. This is because, as someone who requires leave and does not have it, you are defined as a ‘person subject to immigration control.’

Although being an asylum seeker does not exclude you from being able to claim contributory benefits, most asylum seekers will not be able to get contributory benefits. This is because you need to have worked and paid national insurance contributions to get contributory benefits. Most asylum seekers are not allowed to work in the UK and so are not able to pay national insurance contributions.  

Share

Printable version of this guide

Was this page helpful?

Tell us the problem

*Required

Thank you

Thank you for your feedback. If you would like to tell us more, please visit our contact us page.