What are Asylum Support Appeals?
Depending on eligibility, asylum seekers and failed asylum seekers are entitled to support while they are waiting for a decision on their asylum case or (in the case of failed asylum seekers) are unable to leave the UK. This is called asylum support.
Support takes the form of accommodation and cash for asylum seekers and accommodation and vouchers for failed asylum seekers. The Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) provide support for asylum seekers. Asylum seekers apply to BIA for support and BIA can decide to provide or refuse support.
If BIA decide to refuse to provide someone with support or if they decide to stop supporting someone, that person has the right to appeal against that decision. This is known as an asylum support appeal. Asylum support appeals are not immigration appeals. Immigration appeals are heard at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal.
If BIA decide to refuse to support a person they will write to that person. If the person wishes to appeal against the decision they have to complete an appeal form within 3 working days and send it to the Asylum Support Tribunal (AST).
The AST are an independent tribunal who hear asylum support appeals. Once they have set a hearing date they will write to the person and tell them to come to the tribunal in Croydon.
On the day of the hearing the Adjudicator will decide whether the person is entitled to support.
For more information about asylum support appeals contact our Advice Line.