Guidance

Public funds: caseworker guidance

Immigration staff guidance on public funds foreign nationals can claim.

• From: UK Visas and Immigration
• Published: 29 October 2013
• Last updated: 9 April 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 9 April 2025

     Public funds guidance updated.

  2. 14 January 2025

     The changes made in this document from the previous version include updates to the section on change of conditions applications, the quick reference table on immigration routes and the ‘What does this mean for Home Office caseworkers’ section, and new sections on public funds claimed by partners not subject to immigration control and children and no recourse to public funds.

  3. 5 October 2023

     Added a quick reference table to identify whether an individual’s immigration status has an NRPF condition attached. Added a quick reference table to show which government department is responsible for funding and administering individual benefits. Added definitions of entitlement and discretionary payments that can be made by a local authority. Removed the historical details of EEA nationals’ access to benefits prior to EU Exit and the end of the transition and grace period. Updated Maintenance Undertaking guidance.

  4. 25 January 2023

     Accessible version added.

  5. 26 August 2021

     Updated guidance document on public funds foreign nationals can claim published.

  6. 17 March 2021

     Updated to reflect changes arising at the end of the transition period after the UK’s exit from the EU.

  7. 12 June 2020

     Guidance on child benefit updated.

  8. 21 January 2019

     Updated guidance document on public funds foreign nationals can claim.

  9. 22 April 2016

     Updated guidance.

  10. 24 February 2014

      Updated.

  11. 29 October 2013

      First published.

Documents

Public funds (accessible)

HTML

Public funds

PDF, 617 KB, 60 pages

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Details

UK Visas and Immigration guidance on how staff make decisions about which UK public funds foreign nationals can claim and what action it must take if they claim funds they are not entitled to.