Help with Childcare Costs

No recourse to public funds (NRPF)

Best Start for 2-year-olds: early learning entitlement

If you’re a Non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits.

If your immigration status says you have ‘no recourse to public funds’, you may still get funded childcare for your 2-year-old. You must live in England and your household income after tax must be no more than:

  • £26,500 for families outside of London with one child
  • £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children

You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.

To apply, please email earlyyears@southend.gov.uk

More information about the 2-year-old entitlement for parents with NRPF on the NRPF Network website

 

Application guidance for Non-UK citizens who cannot claim benefits and have No Recourse to Public Funds

What groups fall under No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)? 

The DfE have stated that these groups include, but may not be limited to children of: 

  •  Zambrano carers
  • families who have no recourse to public funds with a right to remain in the UK on  grounds of private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on  Human Rights 
  • families receiving support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 who are also  
  • subject to a no recourse to public funds restriction 
  • those who have claimed asylum in the UK and are waiting for a decision (known as ‘part 6’) 
  • a subset of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 
  • Chen carers 
  • families holding a BN(O) passport 
  • spousal visa holders 
  • work visa holders 
  • student visa holders 
  • those with no immigration status 
  • those with a UK Ancestry Visa 
  • those with temporary protection status under Section 12 of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
  • those with pre-settled status who do not meet the qualifying right to reside test 

 

What happens if one parent in a family has No Recourse to public funds and the other parent has Recourse to public funds?  

The DfE has stated that recourse to public funds status should take precedence in this scenario and parents should apply via the normal route. Income from work should be taken into account for the whole household. 

 

Why is there a higher income threshold for NRPF families than RPF families?  

The DfE has stated the higher threshold has been put in place to broadly replicate the overall income of a similar Recourse to Public Funds family, taking into account their earnings in addition to the social security benefits they receive. 

 

Why is there a higher income for families in London? 

The DfE has stated the thresholds were developed to create comparative thresholds with broad equivalence with families with recourse to public funds and who qualify for the early education entitlement due to being in receipt of welfare benefits. The different thresholds for within London have been put in place to take into account the higher cost of living families experience in the London area. 

 

What proof of income should we request from parents?  

  • payslip  
  • P60  
  • bank statement  
  • letter from their bank  
  • letter from their employer  
  • letter from the local authority confirming support if applicable 

 

How will we determine how many children are in the household?  

Parents should self-declare how many children are in the household on their application form. 

 

What documentation should a parent provide to prove they are NRPF?  

Parents should provide a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or E-Visa to prove they have NRPF. Parents who have access to the Home Office’s Online Immigration Checking Services should be able to provide a share code. 

You will need to show evidence of NRPF status to the appropriate person checking your eligibility with your application. 

 

If an NRPF family does not have documentation with them (e.g. a child’s birth certificate or passport), what can a provider use as proof of age?  

The DfE have stated that if a NRPF family is not able to provide the normal documentation as proof of their child’s age, then a provider can use the child’s visa or IS116 form, which is issued by the Home Office and captures the child’s date of birth. 

 

 

Working parent entitlement for 9 months to 4 years old

Eligible working families in England with children aged 9 months to 4 years can receive 30 hours of funded childcare a week for 38 weeks. The maximum each year is 1140 hours.

The amount of free childcare you can get depends on your immigration status.

You (and your partner if you have one) must have a National Insurance number. The person who applies must also have at least one of the following:

  • permission to access public funds - your UK residence card will tell you if you cannot do this

The person who makes the application must meet an immigration requirement. The parent (and their partner if they have one) must meet employment and income requirements.

  • check the eligibility criteria on the government website
  • apply for free childcare if you are working on the government website
  • more information about the working parent entitlement for parents with NRPF on the NRPF Network website

Universal 3 and 4 year old entitlement

All 3 and 4 year old children are eligible for up to 15 hours per week funded childcare from the term following their third birthday. You do not need to apply – just let your childcare provider know you want the funded 15 hours early education place. Your childcare provider will ask you to complete a ‘Parent Declaration Form’. This form authorises your childcare provider to claim funding from the Council for the funded hours your child gets.