People with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) are "subject to immigration control" and 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
The Scottish Refugee Council is a national organisation that can offer advice and assistance to people with NRPF regarding immigration status.
Generally, people with no recourse to public funds 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 our 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.
You can get Best Start Foods if you meet all of these conditions:
- you are responsible for at least one child aged 2 years and under who is a British citizen (not including pregnancies)
- your family income is £1,792.71 or less a month after tax for a single adult, or £2,121.02 or less a month after tax for a couple
- you are 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 which can include the Asylum Support Payment.
Other sources of support
There are community groups locally that may be able to offer advice and assistance including:
- PKAVS - Third Sector Interface Perthshire - a local Third Sector agency which provides tailored support and advice to minority populations across Perth and Kinross
- Perth Minorities Association - telephone 07984 631491
- Perth Welfare Society - telephone 01738 508966, email perthwsociety@outlook.com
People with no recourse to public funds can also seek support from the following Council teams:
- Social Work Access Team - telephone 0345 301 1120, email AccessTeam@pkc.gov.uk
- Child Protection Team - telephone 01738 476768, email ChildProtection@pkc.gov.uk
- Homelessness Team - telephone 01738 476000
