The eligibility rules for many publicly funded services often contain requirements that are dependent on a person’s nationality or immigration status. However, the term ‘public funds’ in an immigration context is very specific and only includes some benefits, homelessness assistance and a local authority allocation of social housing.
• When a person subject to immigration control has a type of immigration status that allows access, or ‘recourse’, to public funds, they will be eligible for mainstream benefits, homelessness assistance and a local authority allocation of social housing.
• When a person subject to immigration control has a type of immigration status that does not permit recourse to public funds – ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) – then generally they will not be able to access mainstream benefits, homelessness assistance and a local authority allocation of social housing.
To learn more about what NRPF conditions are see our online webinar session or access the Migrants Rights and Entitlements toolkit.