Need help moving back
 

Hello. I am looking for help in moving my elderly parents back to the UK from South Africa. I am in the US and have no idea how it all works. Transferring pensions, Healthcare etc. Not sure if this is the right forum but any guidance at all would be appreciated.
Kim

Re: Need help moving back
 

What is their nationality ? If UK passport-holders things will be easier. If they have right of abode then they have right to NHS treatment.


What is the pension question ? What do they gte now ? A South African company pension ?


What do they hope to do for housing ?

Re: Need help moving back
 

They are UK nationals. Also collecting pension. How do I find out about NHS treatment. Any help with housing?

Re: Need help moving back
 

What pension ? South African ? Housing might be available - depends where they go in the UK. In London - no chance - where I live they can choose any of a dozen flats available


For NHS they simply register and will be entitled to treatment. God bless Nye Bevan !

Re: Need help moving back
 

Do you mean "UK citizens"? - "UK Nationals" is different.

If they have the right to live in the UK, as "citizens", or otherwise with "right of abode", they are deemed resident at the moment they arrive and have the right to register for NHS services. ..... In practice they will need an address so they can register.

They will have no immediate right to help with housing, because no returning UK citizen has any right to government assistance or benefits until they have been back in the UK for at least three months.

Re: Need help moving back
 

I think Pulaski is wrong on the Housing issue.

Re: Need help moving back
 

Welcome to BE.

As the Welcome Inn is for introductions only...I have moved your thread over to our UK forum. You should get more responses in this forum.

Good luck.

Re: Need help moving back
 

I don't believe so....... if the poster is asking about social housing or even housing benefits for his parents then the parents would need to be assessed prior to housing or any other benefits are provided.

Taking into account the current state of waiting lists in the UK then a three month time lag before being assessed is not unreasonable.

Re: Need help moving back
 

Assuming that they are British citizens, so have a right to live in the UK, the first step is to make sure their British passports are up to date.

Next, ensure they have accommodation in the UK. You don't give detail about their financial circumstances. Will they be purchasers, renters, or need social housing?

Next arrange shipping of their goods, and pets if any. Plus air-tickets for them.

Do they already have a UK bank account? It may be difficult to open one from SA, and have to wait until they are in the UK.

Transfer of savings from a SA bank account to a UK one is relatively straightforward. They may need to retain a SA account, to accumulate SA income (pensions etc.) and make periodic transfers to the UK account. This is usually the cheaper option to having pension payments transferred.

If they have UK income, then getting payments transferred to a UK bank account is also straightforward.

They are entitled to NHS care from the moment they arrive in the UK as residents rather than tourists. They just register with a GP practice.

Once in the UK, they can apply for their free bus passes (on the basis that they are over retirement age) and library tickets.

If they require other assistance from the state, then there may be a waiting period. But you haven't indicated that they are in financial difficulties.

I compiled a wikilinks list for returning over-fifties., which you may find useful. I particularly recommend the Age UK site which will answer many of your questions about life for the over 60s in the UK.

Re: Need help moving back
 

If they have south african pensions they need to take advice in SA on financial emigration or not- which depends on the circumstances. And also how much money can be taken out as there are restrictions. Look at https://www.cashkows.com/

Re: Need help moving back
 

There are areas of the country where Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) have properties sitting empty ! Hard to believe ? Come and I will show you ours !


If they are going to claim benefits they may be hit by the rules on residency. Exchange control in South Africa may cause problems in transferring assets from that country to the UK

Re: Need help moving back
 

"The" country? .... So you agree that it is one, indivisible country? :sneaky:

Re: Need help moving back
 

Divisa est in tres partes. I am not conceding defeat to the Imperials and Hanoverians just yet.


Pulaski should busy himself with whatever is happening over there with the rest of the colonials who are still in rebellion against their rightful masters.

Re: Need help moving back
 

The OP hasn't suggested that his parents are going to claim benefits, and since he has also asked whether it is possible to hire a relocation agent, I'm assuming the family is reasonably well heeled.

Re: Need help moving back
 

Undivided ,yes. Indivisible, no.