You just can't let anything lie can you eh? Gotta dig.. always gotta niggle, nark and pick.

This lady had been working in Spain over the years according to the article. So probably she was an autonomo as it is almost impossible to get any work on a contract unless you are spanish or completely bi-lingual, and even then it is difficult. Therefore she would have been paying a large monthly payment into the SS in Spain. Unfortunately if the work 'dries up' as it has done for many self employed workers she will get nothing. But she will have a pension to look forward to at 65, but that's not much help for her now. I am sure there are many people here in Spain that have worked legally and will not be entitled to any assistance in the bad times until they reach 65.

A friend of mine that lived in torrevieja for years and returned to the uk to work was told he wasnt allowed to work in the uk because he was no longer considered a british citizen after 20 years in spain. he wasnt trying to claim any benefit, just work, pay SS & tax.

Absolute rubbish!

Wrong - he is a British Citizen (unless he changed nationality) and anyway anyone from the EU can work in any EU country. (unless this was pre EU... )

Stop slagging all of us Devonians.

Is it me being cynical or has this pchelpinenglish poster just joined to push his website

Heh! Considering he's offering pc support, it's a really poor website too. But at least he's trying to drum up custom, can't blame him for trying, and he's trying hard not to contravene the board's rules. I'd advise him to get a proper designer work on his website though.

And learn to use a keyboard - particularly the shift key.

Have I missed something?

I returned from Spain after 3 years, with my 2 chidren after seperating from my husband. We had our own business in spain which was bought with MY money from the sale of my house which I owned before i met my husband. I had my second child whilst living in spain, the business was put only into my husbands name as i was pregnant and nursing while there, therefore when i left him i was not entitled to any help as i had never paid in. My children and myself returned to the UK penniless with just a suitcase of clothes. The local authority wouldnt help me as they said i had made myself intentionally homeless. I privately rented a property and am now claiming benefits. If anyone thinks the benefits system is a great way to live they are mistaken, never in my wildest dreams did i imagine i would end up in this position, but luckily for me the UK is a place that doesnt leave people like me destitute, for which i am very very grateful, i hate to think what would have happened to us if we had not had the option to return to the UK. I dont believe anyone would come back with the intent of thinking Great! Lets go to the UK and sign on! None of us want to be in this position.

He sounds like a right B***ard, give us his address and we will pay him a little friendly visit..........

seriously though, sorry to hear about your predicament and as you say at least you have not been destitute, like in other places.

Good luck for the future, remember the good times may not last for ever, but niether do the bad.

Oh dont worry, i know things can only get better, but people always forget that there are normally reasons we end up in the predicaments we are in, some people are quick to judge. Many of us would do things differently with hindsight but life aint like that!