Benefits and moving to another EU country

dalem_2

I am considering moving to another EU country (Cyprus) due to health reasons and would like some advice about taking benefits with me.

I'm 58 and have not worked for about 5 years due to some health issue.

I have a progressive health problem that is worse in our UK climate (I mean dampness) and much better, although not curable in hotter, drier climates.

I would like to know if I can take my benefits with me should I decide to move.

Currently I am receiving Income Support ( I think it's at a higher level due to long term illness)
DLA Lower rate care component.
DLA Higher rate mobility component.
A small pension (£98 per month) mentioned in another thread.

I have contacted the Benefits Agency about this and looked on their website but it was not much help.
The Benefits Agency want to know exactly where I will be going, addresses, how long i'm going for etc. etc. before they will give any answers to my request.
These are questions I can't answer at this time, until I decide to move.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading.

anmarj

IS will defintely stop not sure about the DLA as there have been chagnes recently, but will try and find something


http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/Introductiontofinancialsupport/DG_073387

the above link is about dla, it looks like it only applies to care component so you would lose mobility, you need to read the bit from half way down

pmlindyloo

Another link for you:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/BeginnersGuideToBenefits/DG_10035686

kingfisherblue

I've read on other threads that DLA mobility component stops if you live abroad.

Would you have any capital, maybe from selling a house, as this may affect benefits? If you own your house and don't sell it, will you be renting it out, as this would generate an income and could affect benefits?

dalem_2

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Another link for you:

Thank you for the link.

kingfisherblue wrote: »

I've read on other threads that DLA mobility component stops if you live abroad.

Would you have any capital, maybe from selling a house, as this may affect benefits? If you own your house and don't sell it, will you be renting it out, as this would generate an income and could affect benefits?

No I don't have a house to sell or rent I would just be living on any benefits.

krisskross

If you have no property to sell here or no savings then you will not have enough to live anywhere else in the world.

Do you get help with rent and council tax here?

What about healthcare in Cyprus? Would you be able to get private insurance?

Caz3121

So you would have your DLA care and your private pension. On top of that would be any benefits you may be able to claim in Cyprus. (although for some benefits they will have expected you to pay into their system to qualify) Maybe an expat forum will be able to advise what their system is http://www.expatforum.com/expats/cyprus-expat-forum-expats-living-cyprus/

pmlindyloo

anmarj wrote: »

IS will defintely stop not sure about the DLA as there have been chagnes recently, but will try and find something


http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/Introductiontofinancialsupport/DG_073387

the above link is about dla, it looks like it only applies to care component so you would lose mobility, you need to read the bit from half way down

Mmmmmmmmmmm am not totally sure about your IS.

How long ago was this awarded? I am thinking that perhaps it was before ESA came into being.

I wonder if this will make a difference? In some cases you can claim ESA when living in another EU country but suspect it will be based on NI contributions in this country.

There are all kinds of seemingly weird and wonderful regulations regarding benefits so was wondering whether a call/trip to CAB may be the way to go?

I believe that it is called 'porting' your benefits to another EU country. Be sure to mention when your IS was awarded and for what reason.

I am not sure of any of this but CAB do have access to a book called CPAG Welfare and Benefits. I know there is a section in it about 'porting benefits'. You may need advice from a specialist advisor though.

As regards your private pension I would give them a call and ask them to confirm that you would receive it if you moved to Cyprus.

However, I would be concerned about your housing arrangements and how you would manage fnancially. None of my business but before your move you need to consider everything.

I lived in Cyprus for 3 years - one of my favourite places in the world.

Good luck!

Joseph_Bloggs_2

Don't know anything about the rules, but I do know that not many places in the EU are a soft touch for claiming benefits, language is often a barrier.

clemmatis

you should check whether you'd be entitled to free medical care:

http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/health/more/entitlement-to-free-medical-care-cyprus-10078

dalem_2

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Mmmmmmmmmmm am not totally sure about your IS.

How long ago was this awarded? I am thinking that perhaps it was before ESA came into being.

I wonder if this will make a difference? In some cases you can claim ESA when living in another EU country but suspect it will be based on NI contributions in this country.

There are all kinds of seemingly weird and wonderful regulations regarding benefits so was wondering whether a call/trip to CAB may be the way to go?

I believe that it is called 'porting' your benefits to another EU country. Be sure to mention when your IS was awarded and for what reason.

I am not sure of any of this but CAB do have access to a book called CPAG Welfare and Benefits. I know there is a section in it about 'porting benefits'. You may need advice from a specialist advisor though.

As regards your private pension I would give them a call and ask them to confirm that you would receive it if you moved to Cyprus.

However, I would be concerned about your housing arrangements and how you would manage fnancially. None of my business but before your move you need to consider everything.

I lived in Cyprus for 3 years - one of my favourite places in the world.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply pmlindyloo.
Yes I was awarded IS way before ESA came into being.
And about Cyprus: It is cheaper for me to live there than the UK, no winter gas bills to pay for a start. We are paying about £38 a month here summer and winter for gas.
During that really nasty winter of 2010 we stayed in Paphos from December until the end of Jan 2011 without any heating at all and we were fine.
Having lived there you will know that a lot of things are much cheaper than UK (some things dearer of course) fruit and veg for starters are much cheaper.
We used to have fruit for virtually next to nothing (with farmers permission). Tomatoes 50 cents/Kilo.
I will however take your advice and go see the CAB.

Thanks again.