Asylum Seekers Continue Receiving Payments After Refugee Status

Asylum seekers in the United Kingdom are reportedly still receiving financial support through taxpayer-funded ASPEN cards even after being granted refugee status. An investigation has commenced following revelations that some migrants continue to access these funds despite existing regulations that mandate the cessation of such payments upon receiving leave to remain.

The issue has intensified scrutiny on the Home Office, which is already facing criticism regarding the ASPEN card scheme. Reports indicate that thousands of attempts have been made to spend the funds in gambling venues, raising concerns about potential misuse of taxpayer money.

In a Facebook group discussion, one migrant stated, “I was granted refugee status in January 2025. I’m still getting money on my ASPEN card… do I need to inform the Home Office or will it stop automatically?” Another user echoed similar experiences, noting a friend who continued to receive payments for a year after his status change. Some individuals admitted to still receiving funds for dependents who have returned to their home countries.

Upon arrival in the UK, asylum seekers are typically provided housing in fully catered hotels and receive an allowance of £9.95 per week on their ASPEN cards. If they transition to self-catered accommodation, this amount increases to £49.18 per week.

A spokesperson for the Home Office reiterated that the rules dictate that when an individual no longer qualifies for support, their payments should automatically cease, and their card will be cancelled after a brief transitional period. “As part of our investigation into the functioning of ASPEN cards, we will look into any instances where cards have not been cancelled as intended, and take whatever action is necessary to correct any faults,” the spokesperson stated.

Political responses have been swift. The Conservative Party labeled the situation as “further evidence” that the Labour Party has “lost control of the immigration system.” Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp emphasized the broader issues surrounding immigration, stating, “This system has become a complete farce. No wonder it costs billions each year. It is an insult to taxpayers that illegal immigrants get better treatment than they do.”

Richard Tice of Reform UK also voiced discontent, claiming that the situation reflects government inefficiency. “If you stop the boats, you stop the benefits and the enormous costs that are associated with illegal crossings. Only Reform will do this,” he stated.

The investigation into the ASPEN card misuse gained traction earlier this week after a Freedom of Information request by PoliticsHome revealed that over 6,500 gambling-related transactions had been attempted by asylum seekers in the past year. While online gambling is blocked, migrants have been able to utilize the cards at physical locations, including casinos and slot machine arcades.

Currently, there are approximately 80,000 users of the ASPEN card in the UK, highlighting the scale of the program and the potential for financial oversight issues. As the investigation unfolds, the Home Office faces mounting pressure to address these allegations and ensure that taxpayer money is used appropriately.