No recourse to public funds (NRPF)

If you are at risk of homelessness or worried about your housing situation, you can email housing@westberks.gov.uk and we will contact you to arrange an appointment.

If you are homeless today, or your enquiry is urgent, you can call 01635 519 530 and choose option 2 to speak to a housing officer. We are available Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Please note that West Berkshire Council will not be able to provide accommodation for anyone who has a valid NRPF status.

Please see our private renting housing advice page for more information about private renting.

'No recourse to public funds' (NRPF) may be applied to certain migrants in the UK. It means that they are not eligible to access most welfare benefits or public services that require government funding, such as housing assistance, social security benefits, or local authority support.

This status often affects individuals with temporary visas, including student and work visa holders, as well as those whose immigration status is unresolved.

The NRPF condition can lead to significant hardship, as affected migrants may struggle to meet basic living costs or access essential services. This can impact well-being and the ability to integrate into society. However, there are specific exemptions where individuals may be able to apply for support in certain circumstances, particularly if they are vulnerable or facing a crisis.

You can find a full list of the types of 'public funds' that someone with NRPF can't access on the UK government website.

Support offered for NRPF

NRPF Network

The NRPF Network can offer advice and guidance for NRPF or practitioners supporting them. It provides information on benefits you can still receive even if you are NRPF.

Right to Remain

Right to Remain works with communities, groups and organisations across the UK to provide information, resources, training and assistance to help people to establish their right to remain.

Support for children under 18

If you're under 18, or a family with children under 18, social services may help if you are or have a child in need, as legislated under Section 17 of the Children's Act 1989.

They will carry out a child in need assessment, to assess if help can be provided. You can find further information on the NRPF network website. Contact the West Berkshire Contact, Advice and Assessment Service (CAAS).

The charity 'Project 17' has a guide to support for families with NRPF. This includes education, NHS care, legal aid, child maintenance, nursery, free school meals, support for pregnant people and more. This is the help social services provide for families with children under 18, commonly known as section 17 support.

Survivors and victims of domestic abuse

If you are a survivor of domestic violence or abuse with NRPF, the Home Office will let you claim benefits for 3 months if:

you have no money to support yourself
you came to the UK to be with your partner
your partner is a British citizen or has indefinite leave to remain
your relationship has broken down because of domestic abuse

Get immigration advice before you contact the Home Office.

You can find specialist immigration advice through:

Visit our domestic abuse webpage for details of support for victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Challenging your NRPF condition

You might consider challenging your NRPF status if you are unable to afford essentials such as food and housing for yourself and your child, or seek temporary relief from this condition in times of crisis.

Citizens Advice may be able to provide advice on using public services and accessing benefits.