Generally, member states must allow freedom of movement for asylum seekers within their territory. If necessary, however, member states may confine applicants to a particular location in accordance with national law.305Member states are required to meet and maintain minimum reception conditions to guarantee the health and subsistence of asylum seekers. In particular, this refers to housing, food, and clothing, which may be provided in kind or by means of a financial allowance,306 necessary health care,307 and access to education for minor children.308 Though the directive establishes minimum requirements, member states are free to exceed the minimum standards in their national legislation. 2.2.2. Adjudication of Claims The European Union acknowledges the need for assessment of asylum seekers’ applications by only one state within the EU. The Dublin III Regulation, which entered into force on 1 January 2014, sets forth the criteria for determining which member state should examine an asylum application.309 According to the Dublin III Regulation, the process for determining which state will evaluate the application begins as soon as an applicant lodges an asylum claim with a member state. In determining which member state bears responsibility for assessing the asylum application, the following criteria will be evaluated, in the order listed below: • Family Unity. The Dublin III Regulation articulates a strong concern for the “best interests of the child”310 and “respect for family life.”311 Families should be kept together or reunited to the extent possible throughout the asylum process.312 Unaccompanied minors will have their claims evaluated by the member state where they have a legally present family member. When the minor has no such family member, the claim will be evaluated by the state in which the minor lodges the application.313 If the minor has lodged applications in multiple member states with no legally present family member, the < < 305 Ibid., Article 7. Ibid., Article 13. 307 Ibid., Article 15. 308 Ibid., Article 10. 309 Council of the European Union, “Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 Establishing the Criteria and Mechanisms for Determining the Member State Responsible for Examining an Application for International Protection Lodged in One of the Member States by a Third-Country National or a Stateless Person (recast),” June 26, 2013, http:// www.refworld.org/docid/51d298f04.html. 310 Ibid., para. 13, Preamble. 311 Ibid., para. 14, Preamble. 312 Ibid., Preamble. 313 Ibid., chap. 3, Article 8(1). 306 60 Handbook on Protection of Palestinian Refugees