Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to Recommendation 13 of the Work and Pensions Select Committee's report entitled, DWP’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, HC 178, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of suspending the ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ conditions on public health grounds for the duration of the covid-19 outbreak.

Access to DWP income-related benefits such as Universal Credit flows from an individual’s immigration status.

DWP has no legal powers to award taxpayer-funded benefits to an individual whose Home Office immigration status specifies no recourse to public funds. Non-UK nationals and family members who are issued with a residence permit with a ‘no recourse to public funds’ condition are not eligible to access taxpayer-funded benefits such as Universal Credit.

Guidance on the support available for persons granted leave with no recourse to public funds conditions, including from local authorities, is available on the Gov.uk website. Those with a ‘no recourse to public funds’ condition can claim contributions-based benefits, such as new-style Jobseeker’s Allowance, providing they meet the eligibility criteria.