Hi,
I haven't posted a thread before, so hopefully this will work!
My hubby and myself have been here for over 5 years, living entirely off our savings and he is 61 years old next month. Can anyone tell us if we can get any financial help at all, we have never registered with any dole office etc as we were told by various friends that we would not be able to claim anything as we have never paid into the French system. I was told by the UK pensions department that we cannot claim the heating allowance that people bring over when they are 60 years old, because we left the UK before we were 60, I think this is unfair also.

I can confirm you won't receive the Winter Heating allowance - my husband missed it by 3 days, grrr brrr!

To get it you have to be over 60 and live in the UK on a certain week in September usually, typical twaddle HERE

You can get into the French health system if you are over 60. You apply for an E121 from the UK overseas dept. of social security, web site www.thepensionservice.gov.uk telephone 0845 60 60 265 Mon to Fri 8am till 8pm. You then take the E121 to the local social security office in your department. You can have your husband put on your card as a dependent until he reaches 65 then he can get his own s/security card. If you are not yet 60 there is little you can do, although if you really need help visit the local Social Security office or your Marie and ask them, they may well be able to help you.

jdr, you will also have to come out of the French health system and then re apply after your qualifying week. Definately not worth it.