Returning to the UK after 5 years, benefits?

wilto

To cut a long story short, in the Summer of 2014 my family of 6 (4 kids under 5) will be returning to the UK after 5 years abroad outside the EU and need some general guidance and advice on getting ourselves back on our feet. Having never applied for benefits I have no idea of the process and how it all works.

To begin with we will be living with a family member and I will take pretty much any job I can find at minimum 16K to 17K PA to start off. We will not qualify for any benefits at first due to the family members income.

It seems working tax credits are based off your previous years income, my British income for april 2013 to april 2014 will be nothing, will they look at my income abroad? Or will I have to wait until April 2015 to qualify for working tax credits.

Also housing benefit may be key in getting us out of our family members house, would I qualify for housing benefit assistance?

specialboy

Unless you can prove that you are not returning to the UK just to claim benefits you may have problems. You will have to take a Habitual Residence Test before you can claim.

Caz3121

Will you be breaking all ties with the country you currently live in, selling property, closing bank accounts etc Did you break all connection with the UK when you left or do you still have bank accounts etc
The HRT above will be key, there have been recent threads where Brits returning have failed this and have no right to any benefits.
Only once you have passed this would any claim to benefits apply
If you are selling up overseas and are coming back with over £16k then you would not qualify for means tested benefits
Tax credits will initially base an award off last years UK income but you should then give them estimate for the current year to get them to base it on that


The income of the family member you are staying with will not affect benefits unless they are a partner

Dunroamin

wilto wrote: »

To cut a long story short, in the Summer of 2014 my family of 6 (4 kids under 5) will be returning to the UK after 5 years abroad outside the EU and need some general guidance and advice on getting ourselves back on our feet. Having never applied for benefits I have no idea of the process and how it all works.

To begin with we will be living with a family member and I will take pretty much any job I can find at minimum 16K to 17K PA to start off. We will not qualify for any benefits at first due to the family members income.

It seems working tax credits are based off your previous years income, my British income for april 2013 to april 2014 will be nothing, will they look at my income abroad? Or will I have to wait until April 2015 to qualify for working tax credits.

Also housing benefit may be key in getting us out of our family members house, would I qualify for housing benefit assistance?

If you do pass the HRT, any means tested benefits won't be based on the income of the famiy member you're staying with.

pmlindyloo

There is a very useful guide here:


http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_coming_from_abroad_and_claiming_benefits_hrt/british_and_irish_citizens_hrt.htm


Click on all the internal links too.

rogerblack

wilto wrote: »

To begin with we will be living with a family member and I will take pretty much any job I can find at minimum 16K to 17K PA to start off. We will not qualify for any benefits at first due to the family members income.

Neglecting for the moment any residence issues.
Family members income, unless they are your partner will not usually matter for most benefits.

You absolutely cannot limit yourself to 16K to 17K jobs usually - you will be expected to apply for minimum wage jobs, perhaps after a short grace period.
If you do not, and you do not have very good reason - you will be sanctioned and not able to claim JSA.

wilto

Thanks for the responses guys.
We did not sever ties when we left the uk I.e. Kept bank accounts and credit cards open.
We have sold our house in the Us and before we leave we wil sell cars and pretty much every possession we have - I suppose I need to keep all documentation of major transactions.
I will want to keep my American bank account open as we will go back on holiday from time to time and to me it's easier to wire funds V cash and traveller checks.

Edit : one thing I totally forgot to mention - my wife is subject to immigration control consequently she cannot claim any benefits.

Caz3121

If you are selling your house and cars, are you likely to be coming back with over £16k?
This would mean you could not claim means tested benefits like housing benefit and you will not have the contributions required for contribution based benefits so you may be able to do child benefit and child tax credits if you get through the HRT

wilto

We'll be coming back with less than 16k GBP..
After we pay all credit cards medical bills loans etc we may have 5k GBp left when we come back.

brewthebear

Why should you think you can just come back and start getting any help is beyond me your as bad as everyone else who comes here scrounging Makes my blood boil.

wilto

brewthebear wrote: »

Why should you think you can just come back and start getting any help is beyond me your as bad as everyone else who comes here scrounging Makes my blood boil.

Brewthebear I'm simply inquiring on what I am eligible and not eligible for, after all this is what this forum is for. Before leaving I paid in for years without claiming any assistance. I would rather stay in the us but a series of unfortunate series of family tragedies means that right now I would rather be in the uk.