The Care Rights Project will be closing permanently on the 19th August 2026. If you have no recourse to public funds and you have care needs or are a carer for an adult with care needs and would like advice about your rights, please contact Project 17. If you have an admin enquiry or subject access request please email admin@thecarerightsproject.org
The Care Rights Project has now closed. If you have no recourse to public funds and you have disabilities or health problems that impact on your daily life please contact Project 17 for advice.
If you are a former client and you wish to request a copy of your records you can reach the Trustees at thecarerightsproject@gmail.com
You may also find the following websites and organisations helpful:
Information about what 'no recourse to public funds' means:-
www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-funds--2/public-funds
Organisations that support people with no recourse to public funds:-
Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network provides a range of advice and advocacy services for migrants in London who are experiencing destitution and homelessness, including those with no recourse to public funds.
Hackney Migrants Centre provides regular advice sessions covering ranger of topics including immigration, housing and welfare and is open to all migrants.
Haringey Migrant Support Centre is currently operating as a phone service offering support with immigration, housing and welfare issues.
Praxis provides free immigration advice via a phone line and drop in services
Refugee and Migrant Justice provides immigration, housing and destitution advice and also operates a foodbank
Project 17 provides advice, advocacy and support to migrants with children and adults with care needs who are experiencing destitution and homelessness.
The Unity Project assists people with NRPF to apply for a ‘change of conditions’ to their leave which, if successful will allow them to access public funds.
Migrants Organise provides advice and support on a range of issues including immigration, housing and community to people who are engaged in their community programme - this can be accessed through a referral.
Information about Social Care and The Care Act 2014:-
https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/
https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/advice-and-information/2025-09-01/what-adult-social-care
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-act-2014-part-1-factsheets/care-act-factsheets
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/arranging-care/care-needs-assessment/
Other advice and support:-
Immigration advice is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority and advisers must be registered with the IAA. You can find a registered adviser using the IAA portal.
Citizens Advice provides information and advice about a broad range of topics.
Law Centres offer free legal advice on a range of topics. You can search for your local centre and check what advice is provided
Shelter provides specialist housing advice and will be able to tell you about your rights
The Trussell Trust operates a network of food banks across the UK. In order to access a food bank you need to get a food voucher from a referral organisation such as Citizens Advice, a social worker or health care professional
For migrants with care needs
We provide free advice and advocacy to migrants with no recourse to public funds
We can help adult migrants with no recourse to public funds who also have care needs to access local authority social care.
What is ‘no recourse to public funds’?
People may be prevented from accessing some welfare benefits and social housing (known as ‘public funds’) because of their immigration status. This is called having ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) and can apply both to people who have visas, and to people who are undocumented.
What are ‘care needs’?
Care needs are needs arising out of a physical or mental condition that mean a person cannot carry out day to day activities for themselves. For example keeping themselves clean, dressing, preparing and cooking food, taking medication, moving safely around their home and getting out to places they need to visit such as grocery shops or health care appointments.
What is ‘Social Care’?
‘Social care’ means care and support services that are provided by the local authority for people who need help with daily living as a result of health problems or disabilities. This is different from healthcare, which is related to the treatment of an illness or disability and is provided by the NHS. Social care could include arranging a carer to help with washing, dressing, preparing food etc, providing special equipment or adaptations in the home, support and respite for a carer and it could also be accommodation and financial support where these are necessary in order to meet someone’s care needs.
Help for individuals
Social care is not considered a ‘public fund’ under the Immigration Rules and migrants with NRPF can access it in certain circumstances. However, this can be difficult and there can be a lot of barriers. We provide information and advice to help people understand their rights under the Care Act 2014 and advocacy to support people in talking to their local authorities.
Work with other organisations
We also want to support other organisations that are already helping people with NRPF. Please follow the link below to look at our templates and guides and get in touch if you would like further advice or to discuss training.