claiming benefits in the UK?

Question

friends of mine have recently returned to the uk following living and working in italy for the past 18 years ( they were born in the uk) marc has tried to claim benefits but has been told he is not elligable because he has paid no contributions in the uk for the last tax year he was working and paying tax while in italy where does he stand

Answer 1

Under UK Legislation, he is not entitled to Jobseekers Allowance, Sickness Benefit or Disability Allowance as these are not based on tax. These benefits are based on National Insurance (NI) contributions only. However, as he has come from Italy, he should be entitled to Income Support as per EU Legislation. He should apply for Income Support but needs to be aware that any benefit can be with a time limitation. He will be given a certain amount of time to find work as the Income Support will be withdrawn after that period. Basically, he is treat the same as any foreign national that makes a claim as he is no longer a UK citizen (citizenship is automatically removed after 5 years of living outside of one's native country. After 5 years, you are expected to take up nationality of the country you are living in. Many ex-pats have this very same problem. After many years abroad, when things go wrong they return and expect to receive everything handed on a plate, even though they have not contributed to our economy for many years. If he is desperately short of cash, he needs to request an Urgent Case Payment (UCP) and not a Crisis Loan. The difference is that a UCP is a payment which comes out of the budget for his local office and doesn't have to be repaid whereas, a Crisis Loan is paid back out of any benefit due and / or by arrangement.

Answer 2

I know many JWs who are pioneers and they do still work. Most pioneers are supported by family or a partner and work part time to get by. They choose to pioneer to give of their best to God, not to take an easy option. One thing I can say is that many witnesses go without luxuries, even a car so they can afford to pioneer, as the congregation as a whole will support these ones by giving lifts and working with them so they can do the ministry work. Of course it is highly unlikely that a JW would claim incapacity benefit or other such things and still pioneer-they try to be honest in all things and would not claim if they are capable of working. I know that you will always get some who are not true to beliefs in every religion, but I know not one witness who would do what you say. I do not currently pioneer, but I have before. I have 4 children, and my husband works full time, we do not claim benefits and I do not currently work as it is difficult to manage proper childcare in school holidays etc, plus I do not wish to leave my children with just anyone. I am there when my children come home from school, I cook healthy food, not processed and I believe I am doing the best for them. My house is clean and tidy and I think that although I could probably be better off financially if I worked, my children would not benefit from having the life I provide in an emotional way. Now I also believe that if I can use any spare time to pioneer in the future I will. But I would not expect to be financed by the government for this.

Answer 3

He does have rights. The Italian and British governments have agreements for when their citizens are paying tax in each others countries, and it is valid. Tell your mate to go back and insist. If they don't back down then they should tell him what options are open to them.

Answer 4

If he was paying UK tax he's eligible.If exempt.He isn't.

Answer 5

check with citizens advice there will be some benifits he is entitled too.hope this helps

Answer 6

tell him 2 get a job....