What exactly happens during HRT (Habitual Residency Test)?

mayu21

Hi guys! I'm new here so first post. Please be kind

I recently applied for JSA and my first interview was on last Thursday. It was all good and I even got a sign on date this coming week but the lady that was going to be my adviser said that I had to first take the Habitual Residence Test. I was told to wait to talk to another lady, when I did I was only asked the last time I was abroad and she inspected my passport. And then I was told to go back tomorrow and gave me a list of things to bring. I asked her about the test and she said that was it. I thought I was okay/passed but when I looked at the appointment card it seems that I'm supposed to meet "HRT" tomorrow.

I've googled about HRT and I can't seem to find an answer as to what really happens? Is it like an actual test? With paper and pencils and all? I'm a bit confused and frankly a bit worried as I've just read about the 3 months residency rule.

My stats would be:

Left the country for almost 6 months and came back just this September 16.
Permanent resident holder since 2005

What do you guys think? Will I likely fail the test tomorrow?

PasturesNew

It's a chat - an interview - to establish the facts, dates and your motivations for returning to the UK.

You'll be asked questions that come down to "so why are you back here then?"

mayu21

Thanks a lot! At least that's clear to me now. I can definitely explain why I left to the interviewer better as opposed to filling up forms and all.

HappyMJ

mayu21 wrote: »

Thanks a lot! At least that's clear to me now. I can definitely explain why I left to the interviewer better as opposed to filling up forms and all.

It'll still be forms whether it's you filling in the answers or the jobcentre filling in the answers for you. You'll sign something at the end agreeing that everything you said was what you said.

They'll have some sort of script to follow and depending on what you say will ask questions to determine if you are here to stay to live permanently and not just here for a holiday and claiming benefits whilst you're here.

mayu21

HappyMJ wrote: »

It'll still be forms whether it's you filling in the answers or the jobcentre filling in the answers for you. You'll sign something at the end agreeing that everything you said was what you said.

They'll have some sort of script to follow and depending on what you say will ask questions to determine if you are here to stay to live permanently and not just here for a holiday and claiming benefits whilst you're here.

OKay I think I will have no problem with the answers as I really do live here (my family is here, bank account(0 balance lol), registered GP and I plan to work here). My only concern is that I don't quite make the 3 months residency thing...by 10 days! Do you think that will be a reasonable cause to fail me?

TELLIT01

You still need to complete all the forms. The person you see at the job centre will simply be completing another form and passing it to a Benefit Processing Centre. They will not be making any decision on entitlement to benefit. If you only returned to the UK on 16th September, the earliest you will qualify for JSA is 16th December, assuming you fit all the other qualifying criteria.
I'm not sure how JSA claims work, but it's likely that you will have to make a new claim on 16th December as before that date you don't have a condition of entitlement. Therefore it may not be possible to accept your current claim as an "Advance Claim".

mayu21

TELLIT01 wrote: »

You still need to complete all the forms. The person you see at the job centre will simply be completing another form and passing it to a Benefit Processing Centre. They will not be making any decision on entitlement to benefit. If you only returned to the UK on 16th September, the earliest you will qualify for JSA is 16th December, assuming you fit all the other qualifying criteria.
I'm not sure how JSA claims work, but it's likely that you will have to make a new claim on 16th December as before that date you don't have a condition of entitlement. Therefore it may not be possible to accept your current claim as an "Advance Claim".

Thanks. I guess I'll know that for sure after tomorrow. Do they tell you instantly if you've failed?

I just wish they would implement this better because I do remember answering the date I returned via online application and went through with it with my supposedly-future adviser which I spent more than 30 minutes with. Even the other lady who asked to see my passport didn't tell me that I might not be qualified right there and then. That way it would have been easier and not wasteful time on both the JCP and mine. I think everyone should take the HRT before sitting through an adviser and all those inputs and stuff on the computer. I even have my first appointment date given and was given instruction to sign-up to UJS. I can only think that the adviser I sat with could have spent that 30+ minutes with someone else eligible.