GOV.UK
Application to change the conditions of your immigration permission to allow access to public funds because your circumstances have changed
Use this form if you already have permission granted on the basis of your family or private life or are on the British National (Overseas) visa route. You can also use this form if you have permission granted on any other immigration route and you want to apply on a discretionary basis.
You can apply for a change to your conditions if:
- your financial circumstances have changed since being given permission to stay in the UK and you are no longer able to provide food or housing for yourself or your family
- there are reasons relating to a child's welfare which mean you need access to public funds
- you are facing exceptional circumstances affecting your income or expenditure
- you had financial problems when you first applied but you did not provide evidence of this and you now want to provide this evidence
If your permission was not granted on the basis of your family or private life or on the British National (Overseas) visa route, you will also need to prove that there are particularly compelling circumstances which mean you need to access public funds.
If successful, this request will only change the conditions of leave relating to access to public funds. To receive public funds, you will also need to meet any relevant eligibility requirements for the fund(s) you apply for.
Eligibility
Check your eligibility before you apply. If you are eligible to apply you will find guidance on how to complete your application and the evidence you need to provide within the online application.
What happens next
If you meet the requirements for a change to the conditions of your leave to allow you to apply for public funds you will be told by letter or email. This may include a request that you give biometric information (fingerprints and photograph). You would need to do this at a Service & Support Centre (SSC). Information on how to do this will be provided in the decision. We will then issue you with a new biometric residence permit.
This application is free of charge.
About the online form
The amount of time you will need to complete the form will depend on your situation. You will be able to save your form and come back to it at another time if you need to.
If you are inactive for 25 minutes you will be automatically logged out.
How we use your data
The Home Office will use the personal information you provide to consider your application. We may also share your information with other public and private sector organisations in the UK and overseas. For more detail please see the Privacy Notice for the Borders, Immigration and Citizenship system. This also sets out your rights under the Data Protection Act 2018 and explains how you can access your personal information and complain if you have concerns about how we are using it.