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Home Office

Answer

Mr. Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated total value is of the benefits available in vouchers, in cash and in kind, including accommodation, to an asylum-seeking family with two adults and two children which is being supported by NASS, broken down by type of benefit, in the financial year 2001-02. [160634] Mrs. Roche: Asylum seekers in need can be supported with accommodation, subsistence or both. The current weekly value of voucher support for a family consisting of a couple and two children, aged 16 or younger, is £119.27, of which £40.00 is paid in cash vouchers. Accommodation is provided directly by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS). An asylum-seeking family in National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation has their utility bills paid by NASS. This in-kind support is estimated to be worth around £18 per week. In addition, NASS accommodation includes items not generally included in furnished accommodation, such as towels, bedding, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery, at an estimated value of around £5 per week. After six months, NASS-supported asylum seekers are also eligible for a one-off payment of £50 per person. If the children are new-born the family may be eligible for a maternity payment of £300 per child.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

368 c326W; 160634

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Children Asylum Housing Finance Payments Money Social security benefits Refugees Voucher schemes

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk