moving spain on benefits
 

hi, currently in the uk i receive for myself, husband & son contribution based ESA, PIP & mobility component & my husband gets carers allowance, i am toying with the idea of moving to Spain but am trying to find out whether i would still get my benefits, Direct Gov site says i would need to apply for benefits when i move, but how long does this take, as i cant work i would need to be sure i would still be in receipt of benefits as neither of us stands to get any state pension.
also could i get any rent paid abroad, hopeing an ex pat may be in simillar situation and can advise
Sue

Re: moving spain on benefits
 

I know some benefits can be exported, I'm sure which ones.
i can't imagine any benefit would be paid for rent in a property in Spain.
I dont understand when you say you have been told to apply for benefits when you move.
Does that mean reapply for the benefits you already receive or apply for benefits that will be paid by the Spanish system.
If it is the latter, you won't any help, its nothing to do with brexit, help for the vulnerable in Spain is a complete non-starter.

Re: moving spain on benefits
 

Hi sue. in my opinion i would not even think about it. can you speak Spanish. The system in spain is if you don,t pay in you get nothing,i found this out personal.and if you don,t speak Spanish the system is horrendously difficult. you are better off where you are. i,m sorry if i,m blunt but in my opinion this is the truth. Of course i don,t know your full circumstances from this post.

Re: moving spain on benefits
 

I would suggest you phone DWP and ask which if any of the benefits you currently receive are transferable..

You are required to tell DWP that you are leaving UK. I do know some do not, but if and when DWP find out ………………….

Re: moving spain on benefits
 

You need to get your position sorted with the DWP, Spain will not help you at all (not suggesting you expect that, but that's the score here)
What about gaining residency? Post Brexit 'below the radar' will be a non starter. Will the DWP give you transferable health care, will your income be sufficient to satisfy the requirements? Otherwise it could be private healthcare.

The BIG thing you will have to show is that your family will not be a 'burden on the State' which are their words, not mine.

Please do your research carefully in all aspects before you make the jump, post Brexit your freedom of movement will be in question, get it all together with proper advice and further guidance from the DWP.

Re: moving spain on benefits
 

We have lived in the Basque country for 10 years, retired with our eldest son who has Down's syndrome, aged 42. We worked for about 35 years in UK, hence paid into the system.
My wife is Basque, so understands Spanish!! Our son gets Disability Living Allowance from the DWP that is paid into our account in England. If you move to Spain, do NOT close your UK bank account as you wouldn't be able to open another one in the UK later.
He also gets paid another allowance from Spain, paid into our account here. This is instead of us receiving the full amount from England. In other words, he gets half from UK and half from Spain. The DWP would need to be informed prior to your moving to Spain. If you can, start before 31st October, just in case!!

In order to get the allowance from Spain, you need to "jump" through lots of hoops in order to get what is known here as a % disability, which means the person concerned has to go through various assessments by physiologists, psychologists, audiologists, occulists and uncle Tom Cobbly! He/she is then given a % disability; that doesn't exist in UK, unless things have changed. You are then assessed according to the % disability and paid accordingly. Our son's is 89%.

If you prefer to keep it simple and go through the DWP only, fine. the money will then be paid into your UK account and you can periodically transfer a given amount via one of the various currency exchange services (eg Moneycorp, Currency Fair, HiFx), rather than through a UK bank, which normally charges more.

We are blessed here with support for our son. He goes to work at a special centre 10km away, gets paid a small amount monthly (about €70) and belongs to a local "club" for the "disabled", which organises weekly get-togethers, annual holidays, periodic outings, etc. All in all, a great life!
However, things in Spain vary from province to province. The Basque country is pretty well off whereas other regions such as Andalucia, Extremadura may not offer the same services.
Hope that helps you a little.

Re: moving spain on benefits
 

wow great post.

Re: moving spain on benefits
 

That's not entirely true according to our experience.

Re: moving spain on benefits
 

Thanks for reply, was thinking Alicante area, as i said i get ESA & PIP so will have to check, it would be great if i can just get my benefits still paid into uk bank but if i have to apply for benefits like it says on direct gov, it says i need to make a claim to these:

You must write to the Exportability Team Co-ordinator to make a claim or change any personal details, for example your address or bank account.
They deal with:

• the care component of Disability Living Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment

If you’re making a claim, your letter should say:

• what benefits you want to claim
• where you live

will need to look into it more

thanks again
Sue

Re: moving spain on benefits
 

Okay, so can you expand and inform the OP of your experience?

Re: moving spain on benefits
 

Isn't that what they did in their long post above? :confused:

Re: moving spain on benefits
 

Doh!!!🙄

Re: moving spain on benefits
 

I did, see above!

Re: moving spain on benefits
 

Good informative post Euskadi (the long one)

As I understand it, the OP can't work, her husband can't work, no idea how old her son is but given the level of mass youth unemployment its extremely doubtful he will work?

What happens when ATOS want to see you for a PIP assessment, won't be cheap to fly the family back to the UK, provide a hotel then fly them back to Spain.

So broadly speaking we have a family who can't work wanting to move to the sunshine and continue not working and to have it all funded by the UK taxpayer...would that be the situation in a nutshell or have I missed something?

Re: moving spain on benefits
 

That seems to be the situation in a nutshell. I am aware of at least one family i.e. my next door but one neighbours who have done exactly that for nearly twenty years.