This page tells you what action to take when the sponsor of a person applying for leave has claimed public funds.
Most categories in the Immigration Rules require people to be able to maintain and
accommodate themselves without having recourse to public funds. A person should not
necessarily be refused leave if their sponsor relies on public funds.
You must check if the applicant has declared on their application form that their sponsor is
claiming public funds.
You must then check with the relevant issuing authority whether the amount of funds the sponsor receives would increase as a result of the applicant joining them.
Paragraphs 6A
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6C of the Immigration Rules explains what the position is when an applicant
is not claiming public funds them selves but their sponsor relies on public funds
If a sponsor needs to claim more public funds to support the applicant, you must refuse the application. For example, if the sponsor claims income- based jobseeker’s allowance and this would increase if their
dependant was granted leave as their spouse. You must refuse
the application under the relevant paragraph of the category under which leave is being
sought with reference to paragraph 6A of the rules.
If the sponsor needs to claim more public funds to support the applicant but these are funds the sponsor and dependant would be jointly entitled to you must not refuse the application.
For example, if the increased funds fall under the tax credits regulations, such as Working or Child Tax Credits, then you must not regard the applicant as having accessed public funds.