Section 98 — hotel from the Home Office
Section 98 is temporary housing (usually a hotel) that the Home Office gives while your Section 95 application is being processed. It lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Main rule: do not leave on your own. Submit Section 95 (form ASF1) if you haven’t already.
If you leave on your own (even for a couple of days) — the Home Office considers this ‘absconding’. Consequences:
• Section 98 is cancelled
• Your Section 95 application may be refused
• Restoring support later is much harder
If you need to leave (for work, study, to see family) — call Migrant Help 0808 801 0503 IN ADVANCE and explain your situation.
What is Section 98
When you have claimed asylum and have no housing, the Home Office must temporarily place you — while it decides what to do with your Section 95 application. This temporary housing is called Section 98 or Initial Accommodation (IA).
How much money you are entitled to
- £9.95 per week per person — if meals are included in the hotel (full board). For travel, phone, over‑the‑counter medicine.
- £49.18 per week — if meals are not provided (rare on S98). This is the standard Section 95 level.
- Extra payments for pregnant women and children under 3 work the same as on Section 95 — £5.25/week pregnant, £9.50/week child under 1, £5.25/week child 1–3 years.
The money is loaded onto an ASPEN card once a week. How to use ASPEN →
What to do right now
Section 98 is temporary. To get long‑term support, submit Section 95 without delay. How to submit →
Positive, negative, requests for documents (RFI letters) — keep everything. Take a photo of each letter as soon as you receive it.
The card is usually issued about 3 weeks after applying for full‑board accommodation. Activation: 0800 246 1327. More details: ASPEN page.
This is free for asylum seekers. Take a letter from the Home Office as proof of address. Find a GP →
For children aged 5–17 school is compulsory. The local authority will help find a place. Free. Free school meals may be available.
If the Home Office asks you to move to another hotel
If you have a serious reason not to move (for example, your child is taking GCSE / A‑levels and cannot change school; or you have a serious medical treatment in this city) — do not leave on your own and do not refuse verbally. Submit a written objection through Migrant Help: 0808 801 0503.
In the objection: what the reason is, what evidence you have (school letter, medical certificate), what you propose instead. It will be formally considered. Your chances are higher if you have documents.
If Section 98 was taken away
Most often S98 is cancelled for:
- Leaving the hotel on your own without permission (absconding)
- Refusing to move to another hotel when the Home Office asks
- Not replying to an RFI letter on time
- Breaking hotel rules
- From 27 March 2026 — illegal work
What to do:
Frequently asked questions
What is Section 98?
Section 98 is temporary housing from the Home Office while your Section 95 application (form ASF1) is being processed. Usually a hotel, hostel or B&B. It lasts days to weeks until a decision on S95.
What do I get on Section 98?
Housing with meals provided (catered) + £9.95/week on an ASPEN card for travel, phone, over‑the‑counter medicine. If meals are not provided (rare) — the standard £49.18/week.
Can I leave the hotel?
🚨 No — without permission from the Home Office. If you leave without agreement, they may cancel Section 98 and this will seriously harm your Section 95 application. This is considered ‘absconding’.
What if the Home Office asks me to move to another hotel?
Agree. If you have serious reasons not to move (medical, child’s education) — submit a written objection through Migrant Help IMMEDIATELY, do not leave on your own.
How long does Section 98 last?
From a few days to a few weeks — until the Home Office makes a decision on your Section 95. If the decision is positive you will move to dispersal accommodation. If negative you need to appeal (3 days).
I haven’t submitted ASF1 yet — what should I do?
Submit it NOW, do not wait. Section 98 is given as a temporary measure while you prepare Section 95. Call Migrant Help 0808 801 0503 — they will help you fill in ASF1.