Repaying asylum support: ~£10,000 — who is affected
A new bill (the Immigration and Asylum Bill, introduced 30 June 2026) would require some adults to repay around £10,000 — as a contribution to the cost of the housing and money the state provided during their claim. This is not law yet, and today nobody owes anything. Children do not pay. And most importantly: anyone who already receives, or previously received, that support is likely exempt — the rule targets people who claim asylum later.
It was introduced in the House of Commons on 30 June 2026 and is being debated (2nd reading). To become law it must pass both Houses of Parliament and receive Royal Assent, and the exact amount and income threshold will then be set in separate regulations. Until then nothing is in force — you do not need to pay.
Does this affect you?
The most important thing is knowing whether the rule reaches you. Three common cases:
You are most likely exempt. The bill expressly exempts anyone who started receiving support before the rule comes into force (clause 23(6)(b)). So it does not target current or past recipients.
Then it does not apply to you. The rule is only about people who received state housing or money during their claim.
Then you could fall within the rule. The exact date it starts to apply has not been set — a minister will name it separately.
What it is, in short
The government wants some people to repay a contribution towards the cost of the support they were given during their claim. It is a single flat-rate amount (around £10,000 by the government's estimate) — not a bill for your specific accommodation, but an averaged contribution to the cost of the whole system.
You pay monthly, and only on income above a threshold (the threshold has not been named) — and never to the point of destitution: that is written on the face of the law.
Key points
Don't confuse it with two other things
If you have savings or assets while receiving support, you may be asked to contribute, or to repay if assets surface later. That is a separate policy statement.
Since 2 June 2026 the Home Office is no longer obliged to provide support — it is now its decision. This is already in force and unrelated to the £10,000 repayment. More on the Reform 2025-2026 page.
What to do now
This page explains a bill — it is not legal advice; we are not IAA-regulated advisers.
- You do not need to pay today. Nothing has been passed — this is only a proposal.
- Keep your documents for the whole period (tenancy, letters from the Home Office) — as for any immigration matter.
- Check a regulated immigration adviser at iaa.gov.uk. Free help via /lawyer.
- We will update this page when the exact regulations, with the amount and threshold, are published.
Frequently asked questions
Is this law yet?
No. The Immigration and Asylum Bill was introduced in Parliament on 30 June 2026 and is at 2nd reading. Nothing is in force — today nobody owes anything under this rule.
Who does it affect?
Adults for whom two things are true: they received state housing or living money (asylum support: section 95 or section 4) while their claim was ongoing, and they later earn well. But importantly: anyone who already receives, or previously received, that support is exempt. The rule targets people who claim asylum later.
What if I never took state support?
Then it does not apply to you. Only people who received state housing or money during their claim are covered. If you supported yourself — with friends, family, or renting privately — you owe nothing under this rule.
Is it for the whole time, or only while I wait for a decision?
Only for the support given while your claim was being decided (section 95 / section 4). What you receive afterwards, once you have status and live like everyone else, is not asylum support and is not covered.
Is it the same amount for everyone?
The debt is roughly the same for everyone: the government mentions around £10,000. It is worked out not from what you actually used, but as a single averaged contribution to the cost of the system. Important: the exact amount is not in the law itself — it will be set in separate regulations later.
How much would I actually repay?
It depends on your income. Earn little — pay little or nothing. Earn well — pay more, in monthly instalments. There is an income level below which you pay nothing at all, but that level has not been named yet.
Are "owing" and "paying every month" the same thing?
No. A debt may be recorded against you, but while you earn little you may pay nothing. The law says plainly: you cannot be required to pay if it would leave you destitute.
Do children pay?
No. Anyone who was under 18 the whole time they received support is exempt. This is written on the face of the bill (clause 23(6)(a)).
Will it block my ILR (settlement)?
The government says it wants full repayment before granting settlement. But this is not in the text of the bill — the words "settlement" and "ILR" do not appear in it at all. If introduced, it would come via Immigration Rules, not this Act. Watch this space.
I am already a refugee but received section 95 during my claim — will they charge me?
The power covers recognised refugees too, by the type of support received rather than status. But the key protection: if you started receiving support before the rule comes into force, you are exempt (clause 23(6)(b)). See the deep-dive page.
When could this start?
Not before the Bill becomes law (Royal Assent) and separate regulations set the exact amount and income threshold. Realistically not soon — and until then nothing is in force.