Asylum seeker: housing or ADA suspended or withdrawn, what to do
What is this for
During the asylum procedure, OFII (the French Office for Immigration and Integration) offers reception conditions, called CMA: accommodation and the ADA (asylum seeker's allowance). OFII can refuse, reduce or withdraw them in some cases. Before a withdrawal, you have the right to explain yourself in writing. This guide explains how to react and where to find emergency shelter.
Important points
- Warning: You only have 15 days to send written observations to OFII before a withdrawal. Do not miss this deadline.
- Warning: Being away from your accommodation for more than one week without a valid reason is treated as leaving it and can lead to full withdrawal of CMA. Always inform the centre and keep proof.
Steps to follow
Step 1: Know the risky situations
CMA can be refused if you turn down the accommodation or the region offered by OFII. They can be reduced or withdrawn if you leave your assigned region or your accommodation (absence of more than one week without a valid reason), if you miss appointments and interviews, if you hide income, give false information about your family or make several applications under different identities. A serious breach of the centre's rules or violent behaviour can lead to full withdrawal.
Step 2: Reply in writing within 15 days
Before ending your CMA, OFII must examine your situation. You have 15 days to send written observations. Explain the facts simply and attach your evidence: medical certificate, summons, proof of the reason for an absence, your children's situation, any vulnerability. Keep a copy of everything you send.
Step 3: Read OFII's decision
The decision must be in writing, give reasons and take your vulnerability into account. It takes effect as soon as it is signed. It can stop the allowance, reduce it or end your accommodation. Look at the bottom of the decision for how and by when you can appeal.
Step 4: Challenge it with a lawyer or an association
The decision can be challenged before the administrative court. If the situation is serious and urgent (on the street with children, health problem…), a lawyer can apply to the urgent-applications judge: in a « référé-liberté », the judge rules within 48 hours. Legal aid can pay for the lawyer. Quickly contact an association that helps foreigners or a point-justice.
Step 5: Find shelter: call 115
Without accommodation, call 115 (free, 24/7). Emergency shelter is open to anyone homeless and in distress, whatever their immigration status. Say if you have children, are pregnant, ill or a victim of violence. For healthcare without health cover, go to the PASS (healthcare access service) of a hospital.
Step 6: Ask for reinstatement when things change
When the reason for the reduction no longer exists (for example, you attend appointments again), OFII can restore your CMA. Write to the OFII regional office to ask for it. In any case, continue your asylum procedure: losing your CMA does not stop the examination of your application.
Documents to prepare
- OFII's letter (notice of intended withdrawal or decision)
- Your asylum application certificate
- Your evidence: medical certificates, summonses, proof of reasons for absence, documents about your children
Official links
Last updated: · Report incorrect information