No recourse to public funds

‘No recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) means a person can't get benefits or public housing. This restriction applies even if they are very poor and might become homeless.

You might have NRPF if you:

• have a 'grant of temporary permission' to enter or stay in the UK
• have no permission to enter or stay in the UK
• are in breach of immigration laws

You also won't be able to get certain benefits if your immigration status has a 'maintenance undertaking'. This is when a family member said they’d give you somewhere to live and support you financially during your stay.

For more information about public funds and how they relate to your immigration status, please see the NRPF Network website.

These kinds of support are not classed as a “public fund” for immigration purposes.

• Adult social service support
• NRPF care and support

We will not refuse a needs assessment or care and support only because of no recourse to public funds. To receive assistance under the Care Act 2014, an adult must have care and support needs that arise from, or are related to, a physical or mental impairment or illness.

There are two main groups who might be able to get support from us:

• single adults with care and support needs (including carers)
• young people leaving care.

You will need an assessment of need by social services to check if you are eligible for support.

Some people can only receive support if it is necessary to stop a breach of their human rights.

We may undertake an extra assessment (Human Rights Assessment) to see if this is a risk.

A person with leave on the BN(O) route is not able to access:

• benefits to top-up a low income
• Universal Credit if they lose employment or are unable to work
• homelessness assistance from the local council - housing access is only available via the private sector

However, if someone with care needs is destitute or at risk of homelessness, they may qualify for social services assistance and accommodation. The local authority will meet the cost of providing this support.

They will need to undergo a care assessment with us in order to proceed. 

For more information, see the dedicated webpage on the NRPF Network website.