Benefits in the UK (London)
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: London, England
Posts: 14
Benefits in the UK (London)
Ok, So being as clueless as I can be about the UK having been away so long. I am wondering if I will be entitled to any benefits when I return next year. I have been living in the US now for 28 years and I am now 44 years old/young. My house here in the Silicon Valley is under water and I would like to call it a day here in the US. I plan on finding work as soon as I can like most people returning home. I don’t want to be on the dole forever. That is if I even qualify. I also have read in the many threads that people use the term benefits but do not state what kind of benefits one may be entitled to. So would it be unemployment benefits. Housing benefits and how much would it be. I would like to know what I am facing when returning home. First steps to take etc.
Thanks for reading
Thanks for reading
#2
Re: Benefits in the UK (London)
Ok, So being as clueless as I can be about the UK having been away so long. I am wondering if I will be entitled to any benefits when I return next year. I have been living in the US now for 28 years and I am now 44 years old/young. My house here in the Silicon Valley is under water and I would like to call it a day here in the US. I plan on finding work as soon as I can like most people returning home. I don’t want to be on the dole forever. That is if I even qualify. I also have read in the many threads that people use the term benefits but do not state what kind of benefits one may be entitled to. So would it be unemployment benefits. Housing benefits and how much would it be. I would like to know what I am facing when returning home. First steps to take etc.
Thanks for reading
Thanks for reading
Your post has had 60 views and no replies, so I don't think it is likely many people can answer your questions as we are all in different circumstances, I returned here 9 months ago after almost 30 years in Australia, so like me you will be on a HUGE learning curve.
You may find this the best site to help you with starting to do your homework.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/index.htm
Jobseekers Allowance is £65.00 per week for a single person, so don't start booking your trips to Paris just yet.
Last edited by Beedubya; Dec 5th 2011 at 8:46 am.
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: On my way home
Posts: 42
Re: Benefits in the UK (London)
Ok, So being as clueless as I can be about the UK having been away so long. I am wondering if I will be entitled to any benefits when I return next year. I have been living in the US now for 28 years and I am now 44 years old/young. My house here in the Silicon Valley is under water and I would like to call it a day here in the US. I plan on finding work as soon as I can like most people returning home. I don’t want to be on the dole forever. That is if I even qualify. I also have read in the many threads that people use the term benefits but do not state what kind of benefits one may be entitled to. So would it be unemployment benefits. Housing benefits and how much would it be. I would like to know what I am facing when returning home. First steps to take etc.
Thanks for reading
Thanks for reading
Firstly Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) falls into 2 types. One is Contribution based and requires you to have paid sufficient UK national insurance for the previous 2 tax years. It is only paid for 6 months.
The 2nd type of JSA is means-tested (ie they look at your other income) If you have capital over a certain amount (think its £16,000) u will not qualify for this.
If you are over the UK retirement age, then Pension Credit may be available.
Housing and Council Tax Benefit are also means-tested and have the capital limits.
The benefits will also require you to meet the 'habitual residence test'. You may not meet this immediately on arrival.
Have a look at thes websites:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...rk/DG_10018757.
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/...y/benefits.htm
Hope that helps
#4
Re: Benefits in the UK (London)
Also search this forum for thread titles about JSA and Habitual residence. There are quite a few of them and they have good information including pitfalls and successes.
#5
Re: Benefits in the UK (London)
Qualifying for Job Seekers allowance also depends on the Class of NI you have been paying. Class 2 voluntary NI payers are not eligible for job seekers allowance.
#6
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Joined: Apr 2004
Location: CHELTENHAM, Gloucestershire, England
Posts: 1,494
Re: Benefits in the UK (London)
Life for those of working age on any kind of out-of-work benefits in the UK is set to become a whole lot tougher within the next year or so.....Ian Duncan Smith, the Coalition Government (Conservative dominated) Work and Pensions Minister responsible for the administration and control of all welfare benefits, will soon be announcing all the new measures to be introduced by 2013.
This will incude the introduction of one single benefit to cover all out of work welfare payments of any kind - to be called the Universal Credit.
The conditions of entitlement will become much more stringently controlled and continued eligibility will depend on a variety of factors. One such may well include time limits of eligibility.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_191344
This will incude the introduction of one single benefit to cover all out of work welfare payments of any kind - to be called the Universal Credit.
The conditions of entitlement will become much more stringently controlled and continued eligibility will depend on a variety of factors. One such may well include time limits of eligibility.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_191344
#7
Re: Benefits in the UK (London)
Some of the changes introduced in 1988 cut back some allowances for a few people, but those already benefiting continued to gain from them.
This will incude the introduction of one single benefit to cover all out of work welfare payments of any kind - to be called the Universal Credit.
The conditions of entitlement will become much more stringently controlled and continued eligibility will depend on a variety of factors. One such may well include time limits of eligibility.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_191344
A new Enterprise Allowance will also be created to assist unemployed people starting to work for themselves.
simplify the system, making it easier for people to understand, and easier and cheaper for staff to administer
improve work incentives
smooth the transitions into and out of work
reduce in-work poverty
I remember when nu-labour increased benefit allowances for kids by a lot. It gave an awful lot of people on low incomes something like an extra £30 a week per child whether they were on Income Support or in work and on Housing Benefit.
Of course, because this increased the number of people qualifying for low income benefits, poverty levels officially increased (what with there being more on benefits ) even though it meant families were much better off as a result.
So, in reverse, they could cut people's income to make them worse off but, Hey Presto, poverty levels go down.
cut back on fraud and error
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,294
Re: Benefits in the UK (London)
The conditions of entitlement will become much more stringently controlled and continued eligibility will depend on a variety of factors. One such may well include time limits of eligibility.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_191344
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_191344
If people take the time to read about Universal Credits, they may get a shock as it is the biggest overhaul since welfare payments began. All three political parties are supporting it.
Last edited by formula; Dec 6th 2011 at 8:05 pm.
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,396
Re: Benefits in the UK (London)
I think you might find that there's more than 3 political parties represented in the House of Commons?
#10
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: charente maritime
Posts: 26
Re: Benefits in the UK (London)
Hi there - the big thing here is passing the habitual residence requirements - unfortunately no hard core guidance exists for what this means, but generally you have to show that you intend to stay here long term and that you have some connections/rationale for being here. Its a pretty tricky business best take advice from Citizens Advice Bureau and expect it not to be straightforward!
#11
Re: Benefits in the UK (London)
Hi there - the big thing here is passing the habitual residence requirements - unfortunately no hard core guidance exists for what this means, but generally you have to show that you intend to stay here long term and that you have some connections/rationale for being here. Its a pretty tricky business best take advice from Citizens Advice Bureau and expect it not to be straightforward!
(sorry...don't mean that to sound sarcastic)
#12
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: brighton
Posts: 20
Re: Benefits in the UK (London)
Ok, So being as clueless as I can be about the UK having been away so long. I am wondering if I will be entitled to any benefits when I return next year. I have been living in the US now for 28 years and I am now 44 years old/young. My house here in the Silicon Valley is under water and I would like to call it a day here in the US. I plan on finding work as soon as I can like most people returning home. I don’t want to be on the dole forever. That is if I even qualify. I also have read in the many threads that people use the term benefits but do not state what kind of benefits one may be entitled to. So would it be unemployment benefits. Housing benefits and how much would it be. I would like to know what I am facing when returning home. First steps to take etc.
Thanks for reading
Thanks for reading
Last edited by markrod; Feb 22nd 2012 at 12:16 am.
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 287
Re: Benefits in the UK (London)
Id suggest the you appeal the decision, you are within your rights to do so and have nothing to lose