LEARNING CENTRE
No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) and Domestic Abuse
What is it?
No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) is a condition attached to UK visas that are temporary and under immigration control. This means domestic abuse victims with NRPF cannot access most benefits such as housing benefits or tax credit, which includes homelessness assistance from the council.
The NRPF condition overlaps with immigration abuse, a form of domestic abuse where an abuser uses a victim’s immigration status to exert control and power over them.
People with NRPF often include temporary migrants, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, family members of British nationals or with settled status but also sponsored skilled workers.
There are over 1 million migrant people in the UK living with a NRPF condition on their immigration status. NRPF is a migrant-specific barrier to leaving an abusive relationship affecting mainly people of colour and single mothers.
As the NRPF condition prohibits access to local authority housing assistance and most welfare benefits, as well as other forms of support tied to benefits, it can lead to exacerbated domestic abuse, as many victims are unaware of their rights and support available. Additionally, victim survivors can experience fears of deportation, extreme economic hardship, poverty, mental health issues and isolation.
NRPF and immigration abuse are closely linked, as NRPF can be used as a tool for coercive control and exploitation. Perpetrators of abuse may use the NRPF condition to control victim survivors, knowing that the lack of access to public funds makes it difficult for them to leave the abusive relationship. Perpetrators of abuse will often threaten victim survivors with deportation or reports to immigration authorities and will use economic abuse, such as withholding money or restricting access to employment, to strengthen their control.
A person who is subject to immigration control cannot claim public funds unless an exception applies.
The Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) provides some relief by allowing certain victims to access public funds temporarily.
A victim survivor subjected to the NRPF condition must seek legal advice immediately.
Indicators of domestic abuse might include control over documents, financial control, isolation, physical and emotional abuse, as well as threats of deportation. Victim survivors subjected to the NRPF condition may face additional barriers to seeking support.
What can we do?
By offering practical and emotional support, you can make a significant difference to the lives of victim survivors affected by the NRPF condition. It is crucial that you support the victim survivor to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
Connect victim survivors with resources and organisations that can offer practical help and assistance with basic needs.
Specialist support services who can advise on NRPF and domestic abuse:
Southall Black Sisters – you can call their helpline on 020 8571 9595 between 9am and 5pm Monday – Friday or email info@southallblacksisters.co.uk
Rights of Women (legal advice) – you can call their helpline on Immigration and Asylum Law Advice Monday and Thursday 10-12 and 2-4pm on 020 7490 7689. An interpretation service is also available.
Further information and support:
Immigration Advice
Law Centres Network – 020 3637 1330
Migrant Rights Network – 07534 488696
Home – Migrants’ Rights Network (migrantsrights.org.uk)
AIRE Center (EU rights) – 020 7831 4276
Public Interest Law Centre – 0203 559 6342
Public Interest Law Centre • Public Law • Human Rights • Legal Action
Rights of Women – 020 7251 6575
Refugee Council – 020 7346 6700
Migrant Help – 01304 203977
Migrant Help (migranthelpuk.org)
Muslim Women’s Network – 0800 999 5786
Muslim Women Network (mwnuk.co.uk)
Safety for Sisters – 0161 464 9505
Southall Black Sisters – 020 8571 0800
SBS No Recourse Fund – Southall Black Sisters
Latin American Women’s Rights Service – 0808 145 4909
Accommodation and specialist domestic abuse organisations
No Woman Turned Away (NWTA) project (Women’s Aid) – 0800 2000 247
No Woman Turned Away – Women’s Aid (womensaid.org.uk)
Ashiana – 020 8539 0427
Halo Project – 01642 683 045
Latin American Women’s Aid – 020 727 50321
LAWA – Latin American Women’s Aid (lawadv.org.uk)
Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) – 020 7490 0303
IKWRO – IKWRO Women’s Rights Organisation
Sistah Space – 020 7846 8350
Jewish Women’s Aid – 0808 801 0500
Jewish Women’s Aid (jwa.org.uk)
Sikh Women’s Aid
Sikh Women’s Aid Domestic Abuse Charity (sikhwomensaid.org.uk)
Stonewater South Asian Refuge – sawr@stonewater.org
Domestic abuse | Stonewater’s refuges and Safe Spaces | Stonewater
Ubuntu Women’s Shelter – 07835 160913
Ubuntu Women Shelter | Womens Shelter | Block A, Room 8, Adelphi Centre, 12
Commercial Rd, Glasgow G5 0PQ (ubuntu-glasgow.org.uk)
Salvation Army – 020 7367 4800
Destitution and benefits entitlement
Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) – 020 7837 7979
CPAG | We are the trusted voice on child poverty
CORAM (Migrant Children)- 020 7520 0300
Children’s charity : Coram Group
Project 17 – 07701 330016
Together With Migrant Children – 01865 528 658
Together with Migrant Children | England (togethermigrantchildren.org.uk)
Public Interest Law Centre – 0203 559 6342
Public Interest Law Centre • Public Law • Human Rights • Legal Action (pilc.org.uk)
Youth Legal (community care) – 020 3195 1906