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Benefits for unemployed/pregnant non UK nationals (EU member)

Syntax007
Syntax007 Posts: 2 Newbie
edited 24 November 2009 at 9:49PM in Benefits & tax credits
Got a bit of a complex issue. My girlfriend is Polish, has been living in the UK for around 14 months.

She has recently moved in with me, and is now around 10 weeks pregnant.

Additionally she has just been sacked from her job. As she is pregnant her chances of work in the long term, or even short term are pretty limited, so we want to look into what she/we might be eligible for.

Would she be eligible for any assistance in paying rent? We currently live in a privately rented flat.

If there is any other information that might help then let me know and I can provide it.
«13

Comments

  • healy
    healy Posts: 5,292 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Yes for benefit purposes you will be treated as a couple and she will not receive any means tested benefit due to your salary.

    She would not eligible for assistance paying the rent herself but as a couple you might get some LHA if you are on a low income.
  • Has she completed 12 months legal work under the Worker Registration Scheme?

    If not - then forget about any benefits.
    From Poland...with love.

    They are (they're)
    sitting on the floor.
    Their
    books are lying on the floor.
    The books are sitting just there on the floor.
  • dookar
    dookar Posts: 1,654 Forumite
    Has she completed 12 months legal work under the Worker Registration Scheme?

    If not - then forget about any benefits.

    She's an A8 national, that ceased to be relevant in May didn't it?
  • dookar wrote: »
    She's an A8 national, that ceased to be relevant in May didn't it?

    Yeah, thats what I thought. She has worked and paid tax, but probably only for about 9 months of her time here.

    This might be silly even thinking this, but would we be in a better position if we said that she just lived with me and we were not in a relationship? Or is that a very rocky road that will lead to nothing but troubles?
  • karenx
    karenx Posts: 4,988 Forumite
    You are the dad, you live together therefor you are a couple
  • Vicky123
    Vicky123 Posts: 3,404 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    May be naive but wont someone ask her from benefits who the father is?
    Isn't this then benefit fraud if she refuses to name him?
    I am totally against all the benefit bashers on this website but if people are advising how to work the system then I can see why so many assume everyone is on the fiddle.
    Wouldn't it be better for the baby and mum if they are living together?
  • dreamylittledream
    dreamylittledream Posts: 2,428 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 24 November 2009 at 10:49AM
    She's pregnant syntax?? Did I miss an update on the thread??

    On a more practical note - I don't think she would pass the HRT test from what you've outlined and as it would be income based benefit she would be claiming your income (she's not been her long enough to claim contributions based) would be taken into consideration - if it exceeds £100.95 a week you won't get any benefits if you live together as a couple.
    Who's going to fly your plane? / When you need to make your getaway....
  • C_Mababejive
    C_Mababejive Posts: 11,668 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Vicky123 wrote: »
    May be naive but wont someone ask her from benefits who the father is?
    Isn't this then benefit fraud if she refuses to name him?
    I am totally against all the benefit bashers on this website but if people are advising how to work the system then I can see why so many assume everyone is on the fiddle.
    Wouldn't it be better for the baby and mum if they are living together?

    It doesnt matter. Thousands of our own UK nationals do exactly the same so what difference does it make to add another?
    Feudal Britain needs land reform. 70% of the land is "owned" by 1 % of the population and at least 50% is unregistered (inherited by landed gentry). Thats why your slave box costs so much..
  • It doesnt matter. Thousands of our own UK nationals do exactly the same so what difference does it make to add another?

    Doesn't make it right though does it?
    DRO granted 17/10/2009
  • If you are a single parent you are not asked to name the father in benefit claims
    DRO granted 17/10/2009
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