No recourse to public funds

If you have a residence permit that allows you to live in the UK, it may include the immigration condition that you have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). NRPF means you will not be able to claim most benefits, tax credits or housing support that are paid by central government. 

NRPF is a condition which applies to people who are subject to immigration control in the UK, unless an exception applies. 

This includes non-UK nationals granted permission to: 

• visit 
• study 
• work 
• join family in the UK 

A person in this position should not automatically be refused a service without further investigation into their circumstances. This ensures that the individual is not wrongly denied a service they may be entitled to.

Who is affected 

People with NRPF are at high risk of homelessness. This is because they cannot access mainstream housing, welfare benefits and employment. 

EEA nationals are required to meet the eligibility requirements to be able to claim welfare benefits and housing support. 

The following categories of people will also have no recourse to public funds: 

• people who stay beyond the end of their visa 
• asylum seekers 
• ‘appeal rights exhausted’ (ARE) asylum seekers 

Visas and immigration paperwork 

If there is no mention of NRPF on a person's residence permit (visa), it means that they do have recourse to public funds. 

However, if NRPF appears on a person’s visa, it means that they would not have access to: 

• local authority housing 
• local authority homelessness assistance 
• most welfare benefits provided by the DWP 

This person is not allowed to claim most benefits, but this does not mean that they have no other rights or entitlements. This includes access to benefits that are not considered public funds for the purposes of immigration. 

How to challenge or appeal NRPF 

There may be times where this can be challenged or appealed, you should get immigration advice before doing this. 

As part of the BCP Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, we are committed to ending rough sleeping. This includes people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). 

Local welfare charities and housing providers can refer people with NRPF to us to assess if we can support the individual or family if they have eligible care and support needs. 

This is done by social services, who can provide accommodation and support, as social services is not a welfare benefit. 

Local support 

If you have NRPF status and have no care and support needs, you can still be given some support from various agencies and charities. 

International Care Network 

ICN can offer advice and support to asylum seekers and refugees. 

British Red Cross refugee support services 

The British Red Cross can provide support to asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants. For example victims of domestic abuse, by advising on: 

• how to claim asylum if you have yet to make a claim
• support to apply for finance and accommodation
• short term emergency support
• access to immigration advice
• access health services including mental health 

You can contact the British Red Cross by: 

• telephone: 07738 944 626
• email: cchappell@redcrossorg.uk 

Citizens Advice 

Citizens Advice Waltham Forest offers support to EU Nationals in securing their status in the UK. They also run an immigration drop-in service, where they can offer free advice during a 15-minute consultation. 

Dorset Race Equality Council (DREC) 

Race Equality | London Councils supports individuals supports people who feel they have been discriminated against because of their race or their religion. DREC also challenges any kind of discrimination. 

CGL (Change, Grow, Live) Street Outreach Service for Waltham Forest 

CGL’s Street outreach service is often the first point of contact with people who are rough sleeping and who have NRPF or restricted eligibility. They offer outreach services seven days a week. 

They can be contacted on 020 3826 9600.