Keith2510

Good afternoon everyone.
Both my wife and I are retired and on personal independence through various illnesses. Joan is also on esa and in a support group and I have an armed forces pension..we have been considering moving over to Spain for our later years. But first want to try a 6 month stint to see if we could manage financially. We would like to rent somewhere for arround 6 month without breaking the bank..would we still be able to keep out benifits if we take this adventure. And what are the pro's and con's we could face moving over to Spain..we don't own our home here in the UK as we rent a council home that we share with our 20 year old grandchildren..if we were able to keep our benifits they would be enough for me and joan to live on our there
Thank you in advance Keith and joan

Rosemary

Hi and a warm welcome to the Spanish forum on BE. Myself and Fred James are the moderators for the Spanish forums whilst BEVS moderates Europe. Moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. This is so that members gain the information that they are looking for and find their experiences on the forums to be friendly and worthwhile.

Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderator who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are usually friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge about the issues of living in Spain. I hope that you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

Keith2510

Thank you rosemary. I look forward to socialising and gaining many new friend and who we will hopefully meet over in sunnier climates x

Keith1963

Hi Keith, you should be aware that in law you cannot claim your ESA support group allowance abroad, so any permanent move would have to factor in not receiving this benefit. You can claim it for 4 weeks when abroad but have to advise your job centre plus if your circumstances change. Of course many people find a way round this to continue claiming their benefits, which I wouldn't encourage, but it happens. You would have to seek guidance on your personal independence claim but it is usually withdrawn with the exception of the daily living allowance part and that is decided by job centre plus. The 4 week living abroad rule also applies.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but it is increasingly getting more difficult for people to claim benefits abroad, especially in your benefit stream as they are paid to people in the uk to manage their daily lives to a set criteria, and moving to Spain with all the disability clauses in the PIP allowance means you could be fit for work. You would have to work out the potential to retire here with your HM forces pension alone - and then your forthcoming govt pension and any other non benefits savings you have.

For your information.

Keith2510

Thank you Keith for your reply it has given us good help. But not what we wanted to hear..looks like we will have to grin and bear it over here in the u.k 😦

missile

I would suggest you consider extended holidays, month here then week in UK and a month there. Thereby you will still be eligible for benefit and have the best of both worlds. With health issues you might want to check out nearest hospital and if you are under pensionable age, be aware only emergency cover is free with EHIC.

Keith1963

Never say never Keith, everything is achievable, it's just that sometimes you need to change your plans to suit.

Rosemary

If you chose the travelling to and fro that has been suggested it will take a huge chunk of money out of the income that you receive and would also take a toll on your health.

Also remember that you could also be in danger of losing your council housing if you either leave the UK to live in Spain permanently or even if you are proved to be not living in your UK residence the majority of the time. So if you did come here to live and then find that you cannot manage on the finances that you have and then return to the UK you would be on the bottom of the list for council housing and have to rent privately.

Rosemary

missile

Flights and long term package holidays can be very cheap when booked in advance.
It would seem OP is on a low fixed income and not quite sure how they intended to fund a 6 months rental?

Rosemary

I feel that they have too much to lose both financially and support wise because it is very different here regarding what help you can get in comparison to the UK. Maybe better to wait until retirement.

Rosemary

missile

I would agree, I know many who regret moving to Spain. However, one never knows until you try. I would rather try and fail than live safe wondering what if..... ?

Lou P.

I don't think so, when people are at all disabled and not well off. I agree with Rosemary and would suggest an annual holiday in the sun, because you can soak up a lot of sunshine and holidayness, return looking and feeling great and that can last for months.
Just have a holiday once a year and then you can see a new place each time.
It's too easy to encourage other people to take risks - they're the ones who'll have to live with the consequences. Sometimes dreams are best left as dreams - the reality may be a nightmare!

missile

I believe people with physical disabilities
like OP are able to decide for themselves.

Lou P.

Duh! I'm physically disabled, too, and it's not that physically disabled people are stoopid (I am, but it's not a general rule) but that Spain is so very different from the U.K. and it's impossible really to know until it's too late - which is why intelligent physically disabled people sensibly ask for advice and opinions in forums.
No time for more - must hobble off for my weekly brain transplant.

missile

DUH, I think you have just proved my point. Just because OP is disabled need not restrict their choice.