Taken From:
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applyi ... ublicfunds
Public funds
These pages explain what the Immigration Rules say about eligibility for public funds for anyone with limited leave to enter or remain in the UK.
If this page does not answer your questions, you can
download a leafletthat gives more details. Alternatively, please telephone or write to us for further information.
What are public funds?
Public funds' include a range of income-related benefits, together with housing and homelessness support. The full list is as follows:
income-based jobseeker's allowance
income support
child tax credit
working tax credit
a social fund payment
child benefit
housing benefit
council tax benefit
state pension credit
attendance allowance severe disablement allowance
carer's allowance
disability living allowance
an allocation of local authority housing
local authority homelessness assistance
Am I allowed to claim public funds?
If your leave is subject to a condition that you have "no recourse to public funds", then in most cases you won't be able to claim any of the benefits, tax credits or housing assistance that count as public funds. However, exceptions do apply to some benefits. If you are in any doubt about whether you are able to claim a particular fund, you should contact the department or agency that issues it.
Do other benefits and public services count as public funds?
Only the forms of support listed above count as public funds. Public funds do not include the Benefits based on National Insurance contributions, such as:
contribution-based jobseeker's allowance
incapacity benefit
retirement pension
widows benefit and bereavement benefit
guardian's allowance
statutory maternity pay
Healthcare and education also do not count as public funds - although your immigration status may affect whether you are eligible for them.