No recourse to public funds (NRPF)

What does NRPF mean?

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 assistance that are paid by central government. 

If you are a European Economic Area National (EEA), NRPF is not imposed on you but you may be prevented from accessing welfare benefits and housing support if you do not meet the eligibility criteria for these services.

Instead, if you are an Islington resident, you may be eligible for assistance provided by us as your local authority through our social services department.

Who can apply for support?

There are three main groups who may be eligible for NRPF support from the local authority:

• Destitute families
• Single adults with care needs
• Young people leaving care

An assessment of need by social services will be required to confirm eligibility for support. Some people can only receive support if that is necessary to prevent a breach of their human rights, so an additional assessment may be carried out to establish this.

How do I apply?

Any Islington resident requesting NRPF support should present to social services in the first instance:

• Children’s services contact team - the single point of contact for all services for children, young people and families in Islington who may need extra help and support
• Adult social services: access and advice team - the first point of contact for adult social care – providing information, advice and care support

• Mental health - Islington Mental Health Core Team – can be accessed by any adult with any type of mental health condition through a direct referral by a GP or other professionals. Referrals can be sent to islington.MHCT@Candi.nhs.uk

Our role as the NRPF team

Islington Council recognises that support is necessary to prevent the most vulnerable residents from experiencing destitution and to safeguard children’s welfare. To ensure scarce resources are used effectively, we have a dedicated NRPF team to manage social services’ accommodation and subsistence provision and to liaise with the Home Office to make sure that immigration queries are resolved as quickly as possible.

Further information and support

Refer to our advice on immigration status for helpful information on a range of immigration issues. Islington also hosts the national NRPF Network to ensure free advice and guidance about local authority duties.