Homelessness and Deportation concerns: No Recourse to public

[Pughchell]

I have a friend who is South African, married for 5 years to a British Citizen with a (soon to be) 5yr old child together. She has been in the UK for 8 years now but unfortunately she is going through a separation with the father and due to this has had to give up work.

Her only income is £18.50/week child benefit and approx. £20/week from the father.
Whilst completing her housing benefits forms she realises that she has ‘No recourse to public funds’ in her passport. Will this mean she cannot claim anything? With the possibility of having to return any payments she has received so far? She is not able to get job seekers allowance as she is not actively seeking a job (Her Child is on 6weeks holidays soon.)
She rents from a private landlord £550/month and I am concerned she will be made homeless or worse case deported should we not get access to some funds soon.

Any advice will be gratefully received. Thank you

[wqzh]

Is she on what kind of visa? Why has't she applied for ILR after 2 years of marriage?

[Pughchell]

She stayed on the ancestry visa she came over on 8yrs or so ago. (I think she may have renewed at one time)

She never applied for ILR or marriage visa as I believe money was too tight for them at the time and I don't think she realised what problems she would now be facing.

Here SA passport has expired which is causing more issues but her visa is in date for a few more years.

Any help would be appreciated, I have found a free advice drop in session immigration laws if anybody is interested its in Manchester and we're going there tomorrow to see whats what!

http://www.smlc.org.uk/