Home Office guidance on ceasing asylum support, updated on 9 March 2026, reflects a revised 42-day grace period for people granted refugee status or other leave to remain.
Key facts
- Who: People receiving section 95 asylum support who are granted refugee status or other leave to remain
- From: Version 7.0 published 9 March 2026
- Source: Ceasing asylum support: caseworker guidance
The UK Visas and Immigration guidance is written for Home Office staff. It sets out how and when caseworkers should cease section 95 support after a change in a person's immigration status or eligibility. Version 7.0 was published for Home Office staff on 9 March 2026. Its stated change is an update to reflect the revised 42-day grace period for people granted refugee status or other leave to remain.
What the guidance says on a grant
Under the Asylum Support Regulations 2000, a person remains an asylum seeker for support purposes for 28 days after a decision that:
- accepts their asylum claim,
- refuses it but grants limited leave to enter or remain, or
- allows their appeal.
The guidance says that, in practice, a person can continue to receive support for 42 days after a positive decision on their asylum claim. It gives the reason as the time needed to complete the necessary processes.
Caseworkers are told to calculate the end-of-support date by counting 42 days from the date the grant letter was issued. They must ensure the person gets at least 28 days from the point of discontinuation. Two calendar days are added only if the notice is sent by post. If the date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the next working day is used.
Other steps for caseworkers on a grant
The guidance tells caseworkers to serve a grant letter that outlines when asylum support will end. It goes with the "Urgent things you need to do" leaflet on applying for benefits, finding a job and finding somewhere to live.
A UKVI account is created so the person can access their eVisa. Subsistence payments are to stop in line with the end-of-support date, while the payment card remains open for 28 days after that date. Accommodation providers are to issue the notice to quit with a minimum of 7 days' notice.
Other situations covered
The guidance also covers:
- refused claims, where a person remains an asylum seeker for support purposes for 21 days,
- withdrawn claims,
- people assessed as no longer destitute, and
- breaches of support conditions.
It lists situations where support should not be ceased. These include where an appeal is submitted within 10 working days of receiving the decision, or where the household includes a dependent child under 18.
What this means for people receiving asylum support
- The guidance is an internal instruction for caseworkers. It describes the process staff are told to follow, and it does not decide any individual's case.
- After a grant, the end-of-support date is counted from the date the grant letter was issued, with 2 extra days if the notice is sent by post. The dates on the letters a person receives may therefore matter.
- Anyone who has been granted refugee status or leave and is unsure when their support ends should check the dates in their letters. They should get advice before any deadline passes.
Sources
- Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration: Ceasing asylum support: caseworker guidance (version 7.0, updated 9 March 2026)