Benefits on return to England

returning

Hi all,

My family and I will be returning back to the UK in around 12 weeks. Given the lack of jobs at the moment due to the recession, we fear that we will have to rely on benefits if we are unable to find work straight away. We have been outside the UK for 2 years and haven't paid any income tax in that time.

Does anyone know if we have to be back in the UK for a certain length of time before we are elligible child tax credits or JSA?

Any help would be most hopeful.

Thank you

welshmoneylover

Which country are you returning from?

returning

Hi

I forgot to mention that. We are returning from Norway.

stazi

This is a start-
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/TaxCreditsandChildBenefit/TaxCredits/Gettingstarted/whoqualifies/NewarrivalstotheUK/DG_172735

karent_2

I was in a similar position when I returned to the UK 2 years ago. If you meet the criteria given in the link given by Stazi you will most likely qualify for Child Benefit, Tax Credits, etc. Be aware though that the process takes some time. It took almost 3 months for my claims to be sorted. I think income support was fairly quick, but Child Benefit took nearly 3 months and I needed this before I could get Tax Credits. I applied for everything in August and it was November when everything was sorted. It was very stressful, but everything was backdated thankfully.

On a more positive note, there are jobs out there. I found work a short while later, as I am sure you will.

returning

Thanks for your help Stazi and Karent