My S95 was taken away — how to get it back
If the Home Office stopped your asylum support — this is not the end. You can apply again (new ASF1) or appeal (3 days if the letter is recent). Your chances are worse than for the first application — but not zero. The most important thing: an honest self-statement explaining what happened and what has changed.
This page is for those who:
- Left housing from the Home Office without permission (absconding)
- Worked without permission
- Did not reply to an RFI letter on time
- Just got a letter saying support has been stopped
Why S95 is usually withdrawn
The most common reason. Any departure without agreement from the Home Office counts as 'disappearing'. Even for a few days.
From 27 March 2026 this is a clear ground for stopping S95/S98. From 2 June 2026 — also for S4.
The deadline is usually 7–10 working days. If you do not reply, they may 'refuse to entertain' your application and take away S98.
The Home Office decided you can support yourself (new money, work, inheritance).
Conflict with other residents, damaging property, breaking hotel rules.
Two ways to get it back
Route 1: Appeal to the Asylum Support Tribunal
Argument in the appeal: the Home Office made a mistake — for example, they misinterpreted your actions, did not consider mitigating circumstances, did not give you a chance to explain.
Who helps for free: ASAP — 020 3716 0283. They often take exactly these cases.
Full guide to appeal →
Route 2: New ASF1 (re-apply)
What you need: a new ASF1 + full package of documents + self-statement explaining what happened.
Through whom: Migrant Help — 0808 801 0503. Say you are applying after it was stopped and need help.
How to submit ASF1 →
You can do both routes at the same time — this is recommended. If the appeal wins, the new ASF1 is not needed. If it loses — you already have an alternative ready.
How to write a self-statement
A self-statement is your written explanation in free form. This is the most important document in a re-application after it has been stopped.
- Your details — name, date of birth, reference number (if you have one)
- Current situation — where you live NOW, do you have money, how are you surviving
- What happened — why you lost S95 (in your own words, honestly)
- Context — the circumstances that led to the situation (debts, threat to your home, medical costs, fear, panic). Not excuses — explanations.
- What has changed — why you are now ready to follow the rules
- Why you need support — what will happen without it
- Signature and date
- Be honest. The Home Office checks everything. Lying destroys your case.
- Be specific. 'I left for 3 weeks to Manchester' is better than 'I left temporarily'.
- No excuses. Not 'I did not know it was not allowed' — but 'I knew I was breaking the rules, but I was in a desperate situation because…'
- Documents. If you have papers (medical certificates, bills, correspondence) — attach them.
- Translation. You can write in Russian or Ukrainian, but it is better to include an English translation (or at least a summary in English).
Special case: worked illegally
But this does not mean an automatic refusal forever. You can apply again. Your chances are worse than the first time, but not zero.
What to write in the self-statement:
• What exactly you did (without detailed specifics — a general picture)
• Why you had to — specific circumstances (for example: 'children at home without child support'; 'the bank started a process on a loan, threatened prison'; 'a serious illness of a relative, needed money for treatment')
• When you stopped working
• What you did to fix it (paid back the debt, made an agreement with the creditor)
• Why you now guarantee you will follow the rules
Find a lawyer. In such cases free legal help is critical — Civil Legal Aid or ASAP. Where to look →
⚠️ What changes in 2026
2 June 2026: the same rule for S4 (amendment to the Provision of Accommodation to Failed Asylum-Seekers Regs 2005, reg 6). In addition, Reception Conditions Regs 2005 reg 5 is repealed — the duty of the Home Office to provide asylum support becomes a discretionary power.
In consultation (not yet law): new Section 95A with a 21-day grace period for single refused asylum seekers and without the right to appeal. This is still a proposal, not law.
Full overview of reforms — NACCOM →
If all options are exhausted
- Section 4 if you can prove one of the 5 narrow criteria (medical reasons, no route back, JR pending, etc.) — check
- Schedule 10 if you are on immigration bail and the situation is a breach of human rights. Through a solicitor. more details
- Emergency charity help — food banks, Refugee Council, faith groups. list →
- Voluntary return through AVR if you want to return home voluntarily — there are support programmes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get S95 back if it was already taken away?
Yes, you can apply again (new ASF1) or appeal (3 days if the letter is recent). Your chances depend on why it was withdrawn and what has changed since. The most important thing is an honest self-statement.
I worked illegally — are my chances zero?
Your chances are worse, but not zero. From 27 March 2026 illegal work is a clear reason to stop S95/S98. But in your self-statement you can explain the context (debts, threat to your home, medical costs) — this is not an excuse, but it gives a picture of why you had to.
I left the hotel on my own — is that absconding?
Yes, formally this counts as absconding. You can explain the reason (fear, conflict in the hotel, urgent family circumstances) — but your chances are worse. The sooner you return and submit an application with an explanation, the better.
How do I write a self-statement?
In free form in any language (you can include a translation). What to include: your details + current situation (where you live, do you have money) + why what happened happened (context without excuses) + what has changed + why you need support now. Sign and date it.
Can I get permission to work?
Very rarely. Only if you are waiting for an initial asylum decision for more than 12 months through no fault of your own + the job is on the Immigration Salary List (a narrow list of professions). Most people do not qualify. Apply through gov.uk.
If they refuse again — what next?
Appeal to the Asylum Support Tribunal (3 days — ASAP will represent you for free). At the same time — Section 4 if you have grounds (for example, a medical reason you cannot leave). As a last resort — Schedule 10 through a solicitor.