Returning to the UK

wanna_go_home

I live in France with my 3 children, my relationship failed a couple of years ago since then I've been in reciept of benefits from the french system. I've done my absolute best to find a job here, but we're really rural, unemployment is high and with no support for myself or the children, I've come to the point where I can not stay here without serious implications to my mental health. I very much need to return to the uk where my family are, so that I'll have the back up support to get a job and basicly a life.

I'm aware that initially on my return whilst I find my feet and settle the children I will need to claim benefits in the uk. I have spoken to ctc, cb, hb and jcp and am aware that I have to fulfill the habitual residents test. The first part right to reside, not a problem the children and I are moving from a european country and all hold British passports.

So to my question does anyone have any information on how I go about qualifying for the second part, proving that I intend to make UK my home?

any other information you may have will be very much appreciated

Many thanks

Oldernotwiser

Proof of accommodation, English bank account.

If you own a property in France, is it on the market?

wanna_go_home

Thank you, no I don't own a property in France I rent here, so maybe a confirmation letter from my landlord stating the date my tenancy ended.

missmontana

When I returned to the UK from NZ after a year of travelling I had to go thru the same thing, It really wasn't too hard, I remember they sent a man out to interview me, I just explained what I'd been doing and it was all quite simple.

At the time I was crashing at my friends house and didn't have a permanent address or anything. I'm sure if you explain the circumstance and show evidence of getting children into schools, opening bank accounts, registering at docs etc then you will be just fine.

Don't worry yourself any more than needs be!

Kimitatsu

You are coming back to be closer to your family as well and as MissM says children in school/nursery and staying with relatives whilst looking for a property should be enough!

nissan25

Hi

To pass the HRT you will have to demonstrate that the UK is your main centre of interest,

i.e. although you are a British Citizen it will be determined how long you have been out of the UK, your reasons for returning (the recession is global and probably even tougher to source work in the UK than in France considering the UK is technically still in recession), do you have bank accounts in the UK, do you have family in the UK, did you keep in contact with family whilst you lived abroad, are you registered with a GP in the UK, will your children attend school etc, how/whom have you arranged accomodation with?

HRT are not easy to pass and difficult the more time you have resided outside the UK.

wanna_go_home

Many thanks for all your replies, yes we have stayed in close and regular contact with the family in the UK, and have visited the for longer each time we've visited. I'm hoping to rent somewhere when we return so will then be able to enroll the children in school and with a GP etc. Must take a deep breath and stop panicking.

Have a good weekend

Mr_Falling_Star

Part of the HRT test is to show that you haven't returned to the UK just to claim benefits so you might want to factor that in when they ask you

gabby71

Hi

I moved back to the UK last August, after 4 years in Cyprus.
I am a single mum with one daughter, things went pear shaped in Cyprus, lost my job etc - and was returning to the UK with absolutely nothing!
I applied for Income Support and Child Benefit as soon as I returned to the UK - only to be told that the decision on Child Benefit could take up to 26 weeks - until the child benefit award was made, my claim for Income Support was put on hold as you cannot claim income suport without being in receipt of child benefit....
After much to-ing and fro-ing, I was advised that I could claim Job Seekers allowance until my child benefit was allowed - which meant signing on at the job centre (not too much of an issue - just wish I had been told sooner!).
My claim for child benefit was eventually awarded after around 19 weeks - the upside was that it was backdated!
Luckily, I had he support of my family through the first few months, otherwise I would have been in desperate trouble - I could not even apply for a loan from the DSS to buy furniture and essentials for my new home as you have to be on benefits for at least 26 weeks before you are entitled!
Another big problem I have found since returning is that I cannot get credit of any description - store cards, credit cards - or even a bank loan, as I cannot provide 3 years previos addresses in the UK!!!
Luckily I found a full time job after being back for about 2 months, so I am getting my life back on track slowly!
I wish you the best of luck - if I can help with any questions please give me a shout.

Regards

Gab

NASA_2

gabby71 wrote: »

Hi

I moved back to the UK last August, after 4 years in Cyprus.
I am a single mum with one daughter, things went pear shaped in Cyprus, lost my job etc - and was returning to the UK with absolutely nothing!
I applied for Income Support and Child Benefit as soon as I returned to the UK - only to be told that the decision on Child Benefit could take up to 26 weeks - until the child benefit award was made, my claim for Income Support was put on hold as you cannot claim income suport without being in receipt of child benefit....
After much to-ing and fro-ing, I was advised that I could claim Job Seekers allowance until my child benefit was allowed - which meant signing on at the job centre (not too much of an issue - just wish I had been told sooner!).
My claim for child benefit was eventually awarded after around 19 weeks - the upside was that it was backdated!
Luckily, I had he support of my family through the first few months, otherwise I would have been in desperate trouble - I could not even apply for a loan from the DSS to buy furniture and essentials for my new home as you have to be on benefits for at least 26 weeks before you are entitled!
Another big problem I have found since returning is that I cannot get credit of any description - store cards, credit cards - or even a bank loan, as I cannot provide 3 years previos addresses in the UK!!!
Luckily I found a full time job after being back for about 2 months, so I am getting my life back on track slowly!
I wish you the best of luck - if I can help with any questions please give me a shout.

Regards

Gab

Why didnt you look at the JCP website at the time. Its not at all difficult to see what benefits you are entitled to.

gabby71

NASA - hindsight is a great thing, thanks for the advice, bit late for me now though!

I posted my comments to help any others that find themselves in the same situation in the future.