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Girlfriend moved here, entitled to anything?

Hello all,

My girlfriend has just moved in with me in Edinburgh, having come from Switzerland and like many others is finding it hard to find work.

She's Dutch/Swiss dual national, but has no valid Dutch passport and as far as I can see Swiss citizens are entitled to the same as nationals from EU countries which leads me to wonder the following:

- Is she entitled to claim anything from the state?
- What, if any, are the possible repercussions or consequences of doing so?
- What criteria if she doesn't automatically meet it would she have to meet in order to claim?

Thank you all for the help, it is much appreciated,

Cheers

Chris.
«134

Comments

  • nannytone_2
    nannytone_2 Posts: 13,003 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    do you work? if yes, how many hours and how old are you?
    what is your income?
  • benefitbaby
    benefitbaby Posts: 1,099 Forumite
    As she won't have paid an NI conts she will have no entitlement to contribution-based benefits, so this really leaves only means tested benefits however as you are a couple your income and savings will be included in any calculation.

    This is why nanytone is asking for info about your circumstances... you would also need to bear in mind that your girlfriend will be subject to the habitual residence test, see:
    http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_coming_from_abroad_and_claiming_benefits_hrt.htm
  • criboo
    criboo Posts: 104 Forumite
    I should have added earlier, I'm a student, my income is entirely from my student loan/parents, the loan being £92/month.
  • benefitbaby
    benefitbaby Posts: 1,099 Forumite
    Oh dear, well read up on the habitual residence test because your girlfriend will need to pass this before she can claim/qualify for job seekers allowance (JSA). When she gets a job, if she is over 25 and working at least 30 hours a week then you can claim working tax credit (WTC) as a couple.
  • sammyjammy
    sammyjammy Posts: 7,994 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 23 June 2013 at 8:18AM
    Oh dear, well read up on the habitual residence test because your girlfriend will need to pass this before she can claim/qualify for job seekers allowance (JSA). When she gets a job, if she is over 25 and working at least 30 hours a week then you can claim working tax credit (WTC) as a couple.

    She won't necessarily get JSA even without the HRT, his income will be taken into account, probably including what he gets from his parents.
    "You've been reading SOS when it's just your clock reading 5:05 "
  • dseventy
    dseventy Posts: 1,220 Forumite
    criboo wrote: »
    Hello all,

    My girlfriend has just moved in with me in Edinburgh, having come from Switzerland and like many others is finding it hard to find work.

    She's Dutch/Swiss dual national, but has no valid Dutch passport and as far as I can see Swiss citizens are entitled to the same as nationals from EU countries which leads me to wonder the following:

    - Is she entitled to claim anything from the state?
    - What, if any, are the possible repercussions or consequences of doing so?
    - What criteria if she doesn't automatically meet it would she have to meet in order to claim?

    Thank you all for the help, it is much appreciated,

    Cheers

    Chris.

    You have £92 a month to live on, money from finance and your parents, and your gf has moved from another contry to live with you?

    What as the plan B?

    D70
    How about no longer being masochistic?
    How about remembering your divinity?
    How about unabashedly bawling your eyes out?
    How about not equating death with stopping?
  • Dunroamin
    Dunroamin Posts: 16,908 Forumite
    Let's hope mum and dad have deep pockets!
  • theartfullodger
    theartfullodger Posts: 15,779 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 23 June 2013 at 12:02PM
    G/f is entitled to respect & affection. And in the circumstances perhaps you assisting her with a ticket home...

    See here for info on benefit entitlement if coming from abroad (both for UK nationals & non-UK..)
    http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_coming_from_abroad_and_claiming_benefits_hrt.htm

    As she is (presumably..) not a student on a valid course in UK she will be liable to pay council tax, usually with the 25% discount as you as a student are exempt.

    Is your landlord happy with her living there??

    What work did she do in Switzerland & for how long (she might not be subject to HRT depending...)
    http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_coming_from_abroad_and_claiming_benefits_hrt/benefits_the_habitual_residence_test_introduction/who_has_to_take_the_habitual_residence_test_hrt.htm
  • ska_lover
    ska_lover Posts: 3,773 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I hope not. OP - you are student and don't pay taxes, but when you do- p1ss taking stories like this will make your blood boil

    Send her home, there is nothing for her here!!
    The opposite of what you know...is also true
  • CKhalvashi
    CKhalvashi Posts: 12,134 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    ska_lover wrote: »
    I hope not. OP - you are student and don't pay taxes, but when you do- p1ss taking stories like this will make your blood boil

    Send her home, there is nothing for her here!!

    My thoughts exactly!

    CK
    💙💛 💔
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