Entitlements

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Rocknrolla_4
Rocknrolla_4 Posts: 2 Newbie
in Tax credits & benefits for work
Am I entitled to any benefits I work for a uk company but I am based abroad in Italy. I work from February until December. Previously I have worked ski season in between but it's not possible this year. When I return to the uk in December I have nowhere to live and no job am I entitled to any benefits if so what are they? Also I have been told because I am out of the uk for 10 months I cannot visit my doctor on return ?? Ludicrous , I pay tax and national insurance into the uk and am not a job seeker statistic but seem to have lost my rights by working out of the uk.

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  • paddedjohn
    paddedjohn Posts: 7,512 Forumite
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    If you are still paying tax and in in the UK then you will still have the same rights to benefits as anyone else still here.
    Be Alert..........Britain needs lerts.
  • miduck
    miduck Posts: 1,800 Forumite
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    paddedjohn wrote: »
    If you are still paying tax and in in the UK then you will still have the same rights to benefits as anyone else still here.

    The OP would need to fulfil the Habitual Residence Test in order to be eligible for benefits.
  • xylophone
    xylophone Posts: 44,426 Forumite
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    Also I have been told because I am out of the uk for 10 months I cannot visit my doctor on return ??

    This seems very odd? You are a UK citizen and pay tax and NI in the UK and yet you are not entitled to see your doctor?

    Have you checked that this information is correct?

    What kind of contract do you have with your employer?
  • paddedjohn
    paddedjohn Posts: 7,512 Forumite
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    miduck wrote: »
    The OP would need to fulfil the Habitual Residence Test in order to be eligible for benefits.

    Not if they are a UK taxpayer, do you think our armed forces personnel take the test evey time they return from tour?;)
    Be Alert..........Britain needs lerts.
  • CAB_Birmingham_representative
    CAB_Birmingham_representative Posts: 89 Organisation Representative
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    Rocknrolla wrote: »
    Am I entitled to any benefits I work for a uk company but I am based abroad in Italy. I work from February until December. Previously I have worked ski season in between but it's not possible this year. When I return to the uk in December I have nowhere to live and no job am I entitled to any benefits if so what are they? Also I have been told because I am out of the uk for 10 months I cannot visit my doctor on return ?? Ludicrous , I pay tax and national insurance into the uk and am not a job seeker statistic but seem to have lost my rights by working out of the uk.

    Dear Rocknrolla,

    Please click on the following link which will take you to a factsheet titled ‘What is the Habitual residence Test?’ This factsheet can be found on www.adviceguide.org.uk and provides information on how to go about claiming benefits if you are a British Citizen who has spent some time abroad:

    http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_coming_from_abroad_and_claiming_benefits_hrt/benefits_the_habitual_residence_test_introduction/what_is_the_habitual_residence_test.htm

    If you are a British citizen,have family members in the UK/ Ireland and you are making this your permanent home then you may still be entitled to benefits on your return to the UK.

    For a benefit check you may wish to contact Turn2us who are benefit specialists. As you are currently in Italy, you may wish to go through their online benefit checker:

    http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

    Tel: 0808 802 2000

    In regards to registering with a GP, people who are ordinarily resident in the UK, including people from other EEA countries and abroad, have the right to be registered with a GP. You can choose which GP you want to be registered with. The GP does not have to accept you. However, if they do refuse to accept you, they must have reasonable grounds for doing so, and must give you their reasons in writing

    For further information please follow the link which will provide you with information on ‘NHS patients rights’

    http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/healthcare_e/healthcare_nhs_healthcare_e/nhs_patients_rights.htm#RegisteringwithaGP

    Kind regards,

    Birmingham CAB
    “Official CAB Representative
    I am an official representative of CAB. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to questions on the CAB Board. You can see my name on the companies with permission to post list. If you believe I’ve broken any rules please report my post to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com as usual"
  • Rocknrolla_4
    Rocknrolla_4 Posts: 2 Newbie
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    Hi guys
    Thanks for reply. But tried to get appointment with gp without residential uk address no go ring NHS direct emergency only! Also without uk residential address not a lot can happen with entitlements. To give you more info I have no uk registered address I have been out of the uk for three consecutive years doing seasonal work on low wages with accommodation provided still paying tax and national insurance into the uk but unable to do winter season this year. So on my return to the uk mid December have saved enough on minimal minimal wage to last a week or two what happens after this when I have till February to start my job again in Europe for a uk company? How many other seasonal mature workers in this situation? Or younger people who don't have family to put them up?
  • Caz3121
    Caz3121 Posts: 15,545 Forumite
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    The rules changed a couple of years ago with JSA for seasonal workers

    The hours would be averaged over a 12 month period and decision on whether this averages over 16 hours per week
    There are a few examples when you search 'JSA' and 'seasonal workers' such as

    Example
    For the last 5 years Ethan has been a S/E seasonal worker as a travelling showman operating children’s rides. His on-season runs for 7 months June to December and for this period he worked 60 hours per week. He did no work in the off-season from January to May. He stated that he retained all of the equipment necessary for his work to recommence and that he would resume work the following June. The DM decides that the claimant had a cycle of one year and that the hours should be averaged over the whole cycle. The average hours worked were over 30 and the DM decided that the claimant was in remunerative work.

    I don't think that this would hinder housing benefit claim (which does not need to have JSA in place) but most leases tend to be minimum 6 months
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