HELP: Job Seekers Benefits for EU Citizen Who Has Never Been a Resident?

ElleT

Hello everyone,

Very helpful forum here! Was hoping someone might assist me in pointing me and my niece, who has both an American and EU (Greek) passport, but has never lived outside the USA.

She is making the big move to the EU to further distinguish herself - has a great deal of education and work experience - and she has very good friends with whom to stay and rent a room as she interviews for a few jobs in and around England. (The companies would prefer she come over to interview in person.)

Now, say none of these interview pan out, and it takes her a little bit of time to secure a position. She would prefer to stay over there and keep looking, but in the meantime, CAN she claim Job Seekers Assistance for, say, a month or two as she continues to conduct her search (so she may give her friends £ for room and board)?

I have every faith that she will get one of the jobs she will be interviewing for, but it's nice to have a fall back and a little bit of security just in case it doesn't work out immediately.

Many, many thanks for any help you lovely people may offer.

Best,
Matilda

DVardysShadow

I think you are asking for a hostile reception, looking to put a dual nationality non UK citizen on UK benefits - who has never even resided in the EU.

If she is looking to further distinguish herself, could she not survive on the distinction she has already achieved? And could I get benefits in the USA if I wanted to further distinguish myself?

dugdale_2

On first thoughts, no she wouldn't be entitled to any benefit as she would not pass a habitual residency test

ElleT

DVardysShadow wrote: »

I think you are asking for a hostile reception, looking to put a dual nationality non UK citizen on UK benefits - who has never even resided in the EU.

If she is looking to further distinguish herself, could she not survive on the distinction she has already achieved? And could I get benefits in the USA if I wanted to further distinguish myself?

I absolutely know where you're coming from, and completely understand the hostility this will attract for some. We DON'T want her going, but it is her dream and there's no stopping the completely stubborn. If you could help us convince her to stay home...?

Just wanted to know if it was an option, is all. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Savvy_Sue

Does she have an automatic right to work in the UK? She possibly does, from her Greek passport, but if she doesn't then a) jobseeking isn't going to be easy and it takes a while to get work permits through and b) no, no benefits can be claimed.

UK Border Agency is the place to start.

ElleT

Yes, she does. The passport gives her that right, no?

Savvy_Sue

ElleT wrote: »

Yes, she does. The passport gives her that right, no?

I don't know enough about Greek passports held by people who've lived in the USA all their lives to be certain about that. But as someone who has to carry out 'right to work' checks before taking new staff on, I'd need to see it before confirming any job offer.

She does realise that getting a job in the UK really isn't easy atm, doesn't she? There is very strong competition for jobs: people who've lived here all their lives, with excellent qualifications and experience, are applying for hundreds of jobs.

I ask this because I've had a few Americans enquiring about jobs with our organisation, and they always seem quite surprised that we don't just give them a job without them going through our normal application process. And their applications rarely get through the shortlisting.

ElleT

Thank you so much for this reply!

I was always under the impression that once you had a passport from an EU member country, that was it, you were eligible for work. Granted, I don't know specifics on this sort of thing, only what I've heard and been told, and this can frequently be wrong, of course!

Ahhh, you don't say; what does checking "right to work" entail? Ensuring there's a proper passport or visa in play? Must you actually see it, or do you plug the passport's number into a computer to check its validity?

Yes, we do know how things are over there - pretty well the same here - but she is still insisting on going. It'd be better to wait, save and do it the right way, but you know impulsive young minds...

Any

I would think that if she is Greek national then seeing the EU passport should be sufficient.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/applyingundereuropeanlaw/

However check the paperwork that will need to be done.

No, she cannot claim any jobseeker allowance or any other benefits unless she has something like(I think) 12 mths taxed job in UK under her belt.

Savvy_Sue your comment about Americans doesn't surprise me. They always think that everyone just wants an American person in their company like they are godsend or something.

emmell

Wouldn't she be better trying to find work in Greece? and see if she is entitled to any benefits there.
ML.

Any

emmell wrote: »

Wouldn't she be better trying to find work in Greece? and see if she is entitled to any benefits there.
ML.

You mean that country that is about to go bankrupt?

I mean, we might be better off if she does but not her.