EU National able to receive benefits?

bigtel_2

Hi,

My girlfriend moved over from Italy last May and started work within three weeks so have been paying National Insurance & Tax etc.

She has just left this job due to illness and is currently unemployed . Is it possible for her to claim any benefits? Also to help with the costs of her medication?

We currently live with my parents if this effect's matters.

Were looking to rent in the future and she would like to study and go to University. Could she get support for any course she wishes to complete.

Sorry for all the questions

Thanks

NASA_2

Do you work? If so, how many hours?

bigtel_2

Yes I work full time, 37 Hours but on average about 40.

NASA_2

Then its very unlikely she will be entitled to Sickness benefit but she can apply and get her national insurance credits paid. The hours you are working are too many for her to be able to claim and receive an Income Related benefit.

Not sure about the courses.

bigtel_2

Thanks for the help NASA.

AnxiousMum

For courses, you might want to check that she meets the residency requirements. I know for University she would have to show that she has lived here for three??? years. Both my kids have had to show this as their place of birth is Canada, even though they have both completed at least five years of high school here in one's case, and the whole of high school in the case of the second one. I don't know if the same would be the case for college courses.

Oldernotwiser

Regarding university, your GF would be eligible to receive the tuition fee loan from the UK but nothing for maintenance as she hasn't been resident for 3 years. She might be eligible for some help from Italy so she should start by enquiring there.

Kerry12345

When your girlfriend starts to feel better, perhaps she should look at doing a short course with the Open University, to see how she can cope with studying while she is ill? If she wished, she would then be able to continue to study for a degree with the OU while she worked as they are geared for people who study while they also have a full time job.

I think the same will apply to getting financial support with the OU in that she would have to have been exercising her EU rights in the UK for 3 years. That EU right seems to be either working here for 3 years, OR supporting herself here for 3 years which also includes having a private health insurance.

sunnyone

bigtel wrote: »

Hi,

My girlfriend moved over from Italy last May and started work within three weeks so have been paying National Insurance & Tax etc.

She has just left this job due to illness and is currently unemployed . Is it possible for her to claim any benefits? Also to help with the costs of her medication?

We currently live with my parents if this effect's matters.

Were looking to rent in the future and she would like to study and go to University. Could she get support for any course she wishes to complete.

Sorry for all the questions

Thanks

She would be better off with a prescription pre-payment card if she needs more than 1 item a month, it costs £10 per month for the first 10 months of the 12 months covered.

bigtel_2

Thanks for all the help.