Once an asylum seeker had ‘fresh evidence’ regarding their Asylum Application they are able Section 4 whilst their new application is being processed

However, there is an issue with the support that is received this includes temporary accommodation & supermarket vouchers which can only be exchanges for goods from a specific supermarket but allows no access to cash

No access to cash raises particular issues:

• if the item required is not available in the supermarket
• some asylum seekers are offered accommodation some distance from the nearest supermarket & this raises transport issues particularly where young children & babies are involved
• having no access to cash raises issues around: bus fares & day-to-day living expenses
•  recently we had contact with a severely diabetic asylum seekers, living some distance from their local supermarket, struggling with their diabetes, their diet, their life generally & having to walk to-&-from the supermarket (having already collapsed a number of times on his route)
• two types of voucher are issued:
  • a gift ’swipe’ card where any change is left on the card for future use but no cash is available
  • gift vouchers where no change is given & again no cash is available (this second option means that asylum seekers often do not receive their full support)

To help solve this problem BOAZ recommends that supporters set up ‘Voucher Exchange Schemes’ where supermarket vouchers are exchanged for cash to assist asylum seekers

See attached document for Voucher Exchange Guidelines