ASPEN card
ASPEN is a prepaid card from the Home Office for asylum support. Activation: 0800 246 1327. Section 95 gives up to £300/week at ATM; Section 4 — no cash. If the card does not work: Migrant Help 0808 801 0503 — emergency grant + replacement.
Activation — step by step
- Got the card? Usually about 3 weeks after applying for full-board (S98) housing. The envelope contains PIN instructions.
- Call 0800 246 1327 — this is an IVR (automated system from Prepaid Financial Services).
- Choose your language — Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Farsi and others are available.
- Enter your card details — number, date of birth, sometimes a reference number.
- Write down your PIN immediately. It is spoken aloud. Do not show it to anyone.
- The card is active right after the call. Money will appear on it with the next payment.
What you can / cannot do
| Action | S95 | S4 / S98 |
|---|---|---|
| Shopping in stores (Mastercard) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Withdraw cash from ATM | ✅ up to £300/week | ❌ |
| Online purchases | ❌ | ❌ |
| Contactless payments | ✅ up to limit | ✅ up to limit |
| Transfer to another person | ❌ | ❌ |
| Subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify) | ❌ | ❌ |
| Top up phone in a shop | ✅ | ✅ |
Blocked shops (since August 2025)
- Entertainment: cinema, theatre, concerts, amusement parks
- Education: courses, universities, private schools
- Fines: penalties, fines
- Gambling: betting, casinos, lotteries
- Alcohol and tobacco: separate shops
How to check your balance
Halal food, dietary requirements, Ramadan
In catered hotels (S98): by law they must offer a halal alternative or another option for religious / dietary requirements. If they do not — contact Migrant Help.
Ramadan: there is no extra money for fasting — the standard amount. If you are in a hotel — ask if you can keep food for iftar. Most hotels are helpful.
Pregnant / breastfeeding: extra payment of £5.25–£9.50/week automatically (if you registered your pregnancy with a MAT B1 form).
HC2 certificate — free healthcare
What it covers (free):
- Prescriptions (medicines)
- Dental treatment (dentist) — on the NHS
- Eyesight test (vision check)
- Help with buying glasses (voucher)
- Travel costs to hospital if referred by the NHS
Frequently asked questions
How do I activate ASPEN?
Call 0800 246 1327. Choose your language. The IVR (automated system) will ask for your card details, then tell you your PIN. Write down the PIN immediately, do not show it to anyone.
How much cash can I withdraw?
Section 95: up to £300 per week from an ATM (any Mastercard ATM). Section 4: 0 — you cannot withdraw cash, only shop in stores.
Can I use ASPEN online?
No. The card is <strong>blocked</strong> for online purchases (even though the card number looks like a normal debit card). Only in-store purchases + ATM (for S95).
What should I do if the card does not work in a shop?
1) Check your balance (call 0800 246 1327). 2) Try another shop. 3) Since August 2025 many shops from the 'blocked merchant' list do not accept it (entertainment, education, fines). 4) If the card does not work at all — call Migrant Help 0808 801 0503 for an emergency grant and replacement.
How is ASPEN different from a normal bank card?
It is a prepaid card from Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) for the Home Office. Money is loaded once a week by the Home Office. You cannot withdraw more than is loaded. You cannot use it online. You cannot use it in some types of shops. You cannot open it — it is not a bank account.
What if I lose my card?
Call Migrant Help 0808 801 0503 — they will block the old card and issue a new one. While you wait they may give you an emergency cash grant.
Halal food and Ramadan?
ASPEN works in halal shops like a normal card. In catered hotels they must offer a halal alternative (by law). There is no extra money for Ramadan — the standard amount.
What is an HC2 certificate?
A certificate that is issued automatically with Section 95 — it gives you free prescriptions, dental treatment, eyesight tests. It is valid for 6 months and can be renewed.