Asylum: Finance

(asked on 24th January 2020) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to ensure that people in receipt of asylum support are able to access payments via their ASPEN card when moved to dispersal accommodation.


Answered by
Chris Philp Portrait
Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
This question was answered on 30th June 2020

A dedicated ASPEN team is in place and manages, via the AIRE Service Provider, all enquiries relating to ASPEN Cards which includes a contact email inbox.

The HO does not routinely collect data on the time taken to issue ASPEN cards but we are continuing to work with all accommodation providers to ensure that applicants are able to access financial support upon dispersal. There is an Emergency Support Payment (ECP) provision available from Providers to ensure that Service Users are supported until receipt of their ASPEN Card.

For service users awaiting payment of backdated support, there is a priority workstream in place which is subject to robust scrutiny to ensure correct levels of backdated support are provided.

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