Removing asylum seekers from support payments 'sends a message'

The Federal Government has started cutting off support payments to asylum seekers living in Australia as they wait for their refugee claims to be assessed. Key points: Refugee Council says 400 people lost their payments from the Status Resolution Support Services program in August Department of Home affairs says the SRSS program is only designed to provide short-term aid UN Special Rapporteur for Extreme Poverty and Human Rights describes the move as 'ruthless' The Refugee Council has told RN Breakfast that 400 people lost their payments in August, with more expected to be removed from the program in the coming months. The Department of Home affairs is standing by the changes, saying the program is only designed to provide short-term aid and that asylum seekers are expected to support themselves. Mr Alston said removing asylum seekers from the program would put more pressure on volunteer organisations and charities and described the move as "ruthless". Asylum seekers expected to support themselves In a statement, the Department of Home Affairs said the SRSS is not a social welfare program.