How to access services provided by food banks?
Food banks are community organisations that can help if you can’t afford the food you need.
You can locate food banks in your area by entering your postcode and search on the following website: https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/
The website usually would explain who you should contact to gain access to the service, most of the time you have to be referred by a local charitable organisation to get a food voucher. Since eligibility for each food bank may vary, it is recommended that you approach the specific food bank for more details.
Also, you are advised to look into the website of your local council. They might have useful information for their citizens amidst the cost of living crisis.
Moreover, you could contact Barnardo’s Boloh helpline to understand how to access their support, and it also includes issuing food bank vouchers. Please visit their webpage for more information: https://helpline.barnardos.org.uk/boloh-helpline/hong-kong-bno
Good Neighbour Church England also provides a Food Aid Programme. Please visit their webpage for more information: https://englandgnc.wordpress.com/
What support is classified as public funds?
You can visit the website below to understand more what falls under public funds:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-funds–2/public-funds
BN(O) visa holders have the limitation of no recourse to public funds (NRPF). This means that you will not be able to access most public funds including benefits, tax credits and housing assistance that are paid by the state. However, the UK government recognises that people might fall on hard times and therefore, BN(O) visa holders will be able to apply for a change of conditions to have their NRPF condition lifted in the event that they become destitute or are at imminent risk of destitution.
However, in different devolved nations, some benefits are not public funds and BN(O) visa holders can enjoy those benefits as well.
In England, local councils may have a duty to provide accommodation and financial support if an adult who has no recourse to public funds is assessed as having care and support needs by social services. The support provided by social services is not classed as public funds and can be accessed by a person who is subject to the NRPF condition. You can visit the website below for reference:
Apart from adult social care services, the Department for Education has permanently extended free school meal eligibility to children in all households with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), including families holding a BN(O) passport, subject to maximum income thresholds. You may visit the website below for more details:
If you are living in Greater London, primary school children in state-funded schools in London will get free school meals for the 2023-24 school year as well. You may visit the website below for more details:
https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-mayor-does/priorities-london/free-school-meals
In Wales, BN(O) visa holders can take public transport for free. You can visit the website below for more details:
https://www.gov.wales/wales-free-bus-travel-scheme-refugees-welcome-ticket-terms-and-conditions.
In light of the recent change in residency eligibility criteria for free student tuition support in Scotland, BN(O) visa holders will be eligible for free tuition fees in higher education, if they can fulfil certain criteria. You can visit the website below for more details:
https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/questions-and-answers/question?ref=S6W-18389.
How to apply for a ‘change of conditions’ to lift the NRPF condition?
People who are granted leave to remain on the British National (Overseas) visa will be able to apply for a change of conditions to have the ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) condition lifted if they become destitute or are at imminent risk of destitution. If you wish to apply to have the NRPF condition lifted, you would need to submit an application to demonstrate your eligibility.
Applicants will need to demonstrate that they
- are destitute or at imminent risk of destitution,
- can provide evidence that there are particularly compelling reasons relating to the welfare of a child of a parent in receipt of a very low income, or
- are facing exceptional financial circumstances relating to a very low income
To understand the eligibility and documents required for the application, please visit: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/change-of-conditions
Information on destitution and BN(O) policy by NRPF Network:
https://www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/news/hong-kong-bno-destitution-funding
https://www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/news/hong-kong-bno-route
Different organisations also provide information on dealing with the cost of living crisis, you can visit the following websites for more details:
Money Saving Expert https://moneysavingexpert.com
Useful advice from BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cljev4jz3pjt
Citizens Advice https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/cost-of-living/get-help-with-the-cost-of-living/
Local Government Association https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/cost-living-hub
Last updated in: Jan 2024