Introduction to NRPF Status

As a BN(O) Visa holder, you have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). This means you will not be able to access benefits or support that are classes as public funds. This includes, for example, the following:

• Attendance allowance
• Carer’s allowance
• Child benefit
• Child tax credit
• Council tax benefit
• Council tax reduction
• Council housing
• Disability living allowance
• Domestic rate relief (Northern Ireland)
• Housing benefit
• Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
• Income-related employment & support allowance
• Income support
• Personal independence payment
• Severe disablement allowance
• Social fund payment, including a: budgeting loan, sure start maternity grant, funeral payment, cold weather payment and winter fuel payment 
• Scottish Welfare Fund 
• State pension credit
• Universal credit
• Working tax credit

More information on the above can be found on the NRPF Network website. 

What services can I access under NRPF?

Your NRPF condition does not affect your eligibility for the following services:

• Employment-related benefits if you are employed and have paid National Insurance contributions (such as Bereavement benefit, maternity allowance, retirement pension, statutory sick pay, etc.)
• State education for primary and secondary school children.
• NHS services, GP services, accident and emergency treatment.
• Free school meals for eligible pupils.   
• Free and/or concessionary travel for those eligible. 

If you are unsure about whether an NRPF exception applies, you should seek advice from a benefits adviser and an immigration adviser before making a claim.

Scottish Benefits

The Scottish Government has also set up a new social security system to administer some benefits that are currently issued by the UK Government. These benefits include:

• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance 
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Carer’s Allowance 
• Best Start Grant (a Scottish replacement for Sure Start Maternity Grants)
• Funeral Expenses
• Cold Weather Payments 
• Winter Fuel Payments 
• Discretionary Housing Payments administered by local authorities

These benefits are administered through a new agency called Social Security Scotland. These are often considered public funds for immigration purposes, which means that BN(O) status holders are not eligible to receive them, due to the NRPF condition attached to their visa. 

However, there are some specific Scottish benefits, such as Scotland’s Baby Box, that BN(O) status holders are entitled to. 

Lifting your NRPF Condition

If you are unable to cover your living costs, are destitute or at risk of becoming destitute you may be able to make an application to lift the NRPF condition attached to your visa. If your conditions are lifted, you may then be eligible for certain benefits. This can only be done by an OISC-regulated immigration advisor. 

This involves collecting evidence to show you are either destitute or at risk of becoming destitute, such as information about your income, your accommodation and any additional support needs you or your family may have. Lifting your NRPF condition will enable you to apply for council housing, for example, which is considered a public fund for immigration purposes, along with a range of other income-related benefits.

COSLA have partnered with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to provide this service. To make an application, please contact your Local Authority in the first instance or email hongkongBNO@cosla.gov.uk. 

Please note that we cannot provide individual immigration advice and that COSLA does not process Change of Condition applications directly. 

Important: Local Authorities have a duty to safeguard the welfare of children, young people leaving care, and vulnerable adults.

FAQs:

What does No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) mean?

This is a condition attached to your BN(O) visa which means you will not be able to access benefits or support that are classes as public funds. This includes things like housing benefit, council tax reduction, and jobseeker’s allowance, amongst other things. You can find more information on what is classed as a public fund on the NRPF Network website. 

Can I lift my NRPF condition?

You cannot do this yourself, but it is possible to have the NRPF condition lifted if you meet certain criteria. COSLA have partnered with IOM to provide this service. Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance and refer them to the following guidance. This process involves collecting evidence to show that you are destitute or at risk of destitution. 

My family entered the UK under a visitor visa – is my child eligible for state education?

A visitor visa does not permit children to receive a state school education. Once you receive your BN(O) visa, you will be able to enrol your child in a state school.