Assistance for people with no recourse to public funds

People with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) are "subject to immigration control" and have have no entitlement to most mainstream welfare benefits. The legislation covering immigration control is very complex and changeable and anyone with NRPF should seek specialist advice.

• The Ethnic Minority Law Centre can provide specialist advice including:
  • Asylum/Human Rights
  • Immigration
  • Discrimination
  • Employment

• PKAVS Minority Communities Hub is a local Third Sector agency which provides tailored support and advice to minority populations across Perth & Kinross.

Generally, people with NRPF cannot access the benefits system, however, there are some limited exceptions.

The following benefits and statutory payments are not considered public funds for immigration purposes:

• New-Style Jobseeker's Allowance
• New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Guardian's Allowance (if in receipt of Child Benefit)
• Maternity Allowance
• State Pension
• Statutory Sick Pay
• Bereavement Support Payment
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Statutory parental payments (Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay, Statutory Shared Parental Pay and Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay)

Financial Insecurity Fund

People with NRPF can also apply to the Council's Financial Insecurity Fund as this is not a "Public Fund" so long as they meet the additional eligibility criteria.

Best Start Foods

You may be able to get Best Start Foods for your child even if you cannot get certain benefits because of your immigration status.  This is also called having no access to public funds.

You can get Best Start Foods if you meet all of these conditions:

• you're responsible for at least one child under 3 who's a British citizen (not including pregnancies)
• your family income is is £1763.18 or less a month after tax for a single adult or £2086.00 or less a month after tax for a couple
• you're not able to claim public funds due to your immigration status

People Seeking Asylum

People seeking Asylum cannot be paid benefit however they may be eligible for Asylum Support.