Definition
Public funds are benefits, services and housing that people can access if they meet relevant eligibility criteria.
People coming to live in the UK are expected to be able to live without needing access to public funds. Most people allowed by the government to stay in the UK on a temporary basis (for example to work, study or travel) are given no access to these public funds. This is known as ‘no recourse to public funds’ or NRPF. People in the UK without lawful status also have no recourse to public funds.
The NRPF condition will be lifted in some circumstances, for example if a person is destitute or at risk of imminent destitution, or for reasons relating to the welfare of a child.