Just moved back to UK - benefit entitlement

[Lisestar]

Hi, myself & my partner have just moved back to the UK from Spain along with our 1 year old daughter as my partner was made redundant. We have an appointment with the local Jobcentre tomorrow but before I go I wanted to be up to speed on what we might be entitled to.

 

1. We have been in Spain for 7 years, prior to that both of us worked in the UK. Would we be entitled to contribution based JSA or do your contributions have to be recent and if so, would we be entitled to income based JSA.

 

2. I have a flat that is currently rented. It was purchased in 2005 and there's a mortgage on it of £60K and I think it's currently worth about £90K - would that render us ineligible on capital grounds? We are staying with my parents just now as the property is rented.

 

Any info/advice anyone has on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

lisestar

[citizenkain]

far as Ive heard,if youve been out of uk for two years or more,you dont get any benefits for six months,they can make emergency payments though

[citizenB]

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/a-to-z/

 

You might find something useful on hte above Goverment website.

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

I know no two people's situations are the same, but we had another thread recently about someone coming back to the UK. It might give you some pointers.

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?364467-just-returned-from-spain-after-losing-house-with-2-children-and-not-entitled-to-benefits&highlight=return+from+spain

 

My best, HB

[estellyn]

This should be useful:

 

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/information__resources/benefits/migrants/habitual_residence_test_hrt.aspx

[mekongmarcus]

I think a lot depends on the individual local authority and benefits office.

 

I got HB and ESA after a couple of weeks.A good habitual residency form must help.

[san_d]

Yes, no two situations are the same. I know two Spanish citizens (each other's friends). They applied for JSA at the same office the same day. One was granted JSA from day one (was not in receipt of any benefits in Spain) and happily living on the dole ever after.

 

The other one was denied JSA on the ground of HRT. He couldn't find work. I advised him to work as a volunteer in a charity shop for three months then reapply. He was denied it again.

[flumps1976]

Each case will be looked independently, as you are not living in your mortgaged home you won't be eligible for any help with the mortgage but as oit is rented out they will look at if there is any income from the property rental.

http://dwp.gov.uk/international/benefits/jobseekers-allowance/jobseekers-allowance-in-eea/

this link should give a bit of information to determine if you would be likely to receive any payments of JSA for contribution based JSA