13 August 2026
13 August 2026
This Factsheet looks at what can be done to help asylum-seekers and refused asylum-seekers when an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Asylum Support) (AST) is unsuccessful.
If you still have questions or need further information and advice after reading this factsheet, please contact our advice line on 020 3716 0283. It is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2pm to 4pm. Please note, this is a ‘second-tier’ advice line. This means that we can give advice to other advice workers but not to individual clients.
A negative decision from the First-tier Tribunal (Asylum Support) (AST) does not always mean there are no further options.
The most important first step is to carefully read the Statement of Reasons and identify why the appeal was unsuccessful. The next steps will depend on the reasons for the dismissal and any changes in the client's circumstances
What is the Statement of Reasons?
The judge hearing the appeal tells the asylum-seeker (the appellant) at the end of the hearing whether the appeal is allowed, dismissed or remitted and gives them a Decision Notice. The judge must then give full reasons for any decision, and these are published in a Statement of Reasons which is sent to the appellant or their representative within 3 working days of the hearing. It is important to examine the Statement of reasons very carefully as this will outline the reasons why the appeal has been dismissed.
In many cases, yes.
The law states that the Home Office has to be satisfied that there has been a ‘material change of circumstances’ before it will entertain a further application after a dismissed appeal.Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 s103(6)
However, and especially when the issue was destitution, in many cases, it will be appropriate to re-apply for support.
For example: the funds a client did have at the time of the appeal may have run out or they have lost their accommodation or charitable support. In some cases, the asylum-seeker may have obtained an important piece of evidence which will help to address the reason why they lost the appeal. See ASAP Factsheet 5 on proving destitution.
Alternatively, if the issue in the appeal was not destitution, a client may have made a fresh claim for asylum or have new circumstances which mean it is unreasonable to expect to leave the UK to alleviate their destitution.
When submitting a new application, clearly explain:
Reasonable Steps to Leave the UK
If a person has had their asylum claim refused and any subsequent appeal rights have been exhausted, they can apply for section 4 support if they are taking reasonable steps to leave the UK voluntarily (see Factsheet 2). Reasonable steps would usually include applying for assistance with voluntary return to their country of origin and/or contacting the relevant Embassy.
Important: Support can be discontinued if the person stops taking reasonable steps to leave the UK. The person should consider carefully any decision to return voluntarily and ideally obtain immigration advice prior to making a voluntary return application.
Further submissions
If, since their dismissed appeal to the AST, a person has lodged further submissions which have not yet been looked at by Home Office they may become eligible for section 4 support again. They will need to provide destitution evidence in any further application for asylum support. See Factsheets 2 and 12.
Unlike most First-tier Tribunals, there is no onward appeal to an Upper Tribunal in asylum support cases. However, in some circumstances the AST can be asked to set aside its own decision.
Setting aside means that the decision that was made by the judge becomes void. Generally a new hearing will take place to reconsider the appeal.
Under rule 37 a decision can be set aside if:
Applications must be made in writing within a month of the initial tribunal decision, rule 37(3).
Important: A set aside application is not simply an opportunity to argue that the judge reached the wrong conclusion. There must generally be a procedural problem with the hearing process and it must be in the interests of justice to reopen the case.
Judicial review (JR) is a challenge in the High Court against the lawfulness of a decision made by a public authority, including the Asylum Support Tribunal.
Because there is no asylum support Upper Tribunal, judicial review is the only route for challenging an unlawful AST decision.
Important: A more common and effective solution will often be for your client to obtain further evidence and re-apply for support, as set out above.
The AST’s decision may be challengeable by way of judicial review if, for example, it has given too much weight to irrelevant considerations or insufficient consideration to relevant considerations. Or if the AST has failed to follow correct or fair procedures or has drawn conclusions that no ‘reasonable Tribunal’ could have come to.
An application for judicial review should be made promptly and within 3 months of the AST decision so it is important that advisers seek advice from a specialist solicitor as soon as possible.
Unlike decisions made at the AST, decisions in the High Court will be binding on future tribunal appeals. Therefore, JR can be instrumental in shaping asylum support law. For example, the rules relating to support entitlements for people with medical problems were refined through judicial review.
Please See ASAP Factsheet 13 ‘Introduction to Judicial Review’ for more information and call the ASAP advice line for case specific advice.
There is the potential for local authorities to support two distinct groups, under different legislation.
Disabled asylum-seekers may be eligible for support (including accommodation and essential living needs) from social services under the Care Act 2014. As this form of support takes precedence over asylum support (should a person qualify for it) then it is possible that someone whose appeal has been dismissed will not qualify for Care Act support. This is because they should already have been on Care Act support, not asylum support. The relationship between Care Act support and Home Office support is complicated and advice from ASAP and a specialist community care solicitor should be obtained.
When there is a dependent child(ren) under 18 living in the household when the asylum claim of a family is fully determined, they will usually remain on section 95 support whilst the child(ren) in the household are under 18. This is because under s94(5) they continue to be treated as asylum-seekers for support purposes[Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 s94(5) . However, if their support is discontinued (for example for breach of conditions) and they lose their AST appeal on that issue, then they should apply to social services for support for Children Act 1989 s17 support. This is because the child(ren) in the household would be a child ‘in need’ under s17, if the family is destitutePlease see the Project 17 website for more information on Section 17