Entitlement when returning to England following a stay abroad

midlandsgrandma

British born, continuously resident in England for 63 years, no entitlement to State Retirement Pension for another 3 years. Can't  find a job to keep up my home expenses, have health issues, but not serious enough to claim disability benefits. If I sell my property, I will be left with about £50,000 disposable income. I am considering going abroad and renting a cheap property for 3 or 4 years, live off the £50,000 and then return to UK when my State retirement benefit is in payment. I currently live in a flat on second floor with no lift so will have to move on at some time due to needing to be on ground floor. There is nothing that I can buy with £50,000. My job has finished and currently no income. Current savings (ie: without selling my home) won't pay my living expenses in this Country for longer than 6 months.. I'm not keen on renting the flat out due to horror stories I have read and not being in UK to sort any problems out. Upon return, given that I will have my State Retirement Pension (no other income),Will I have issues with:
The habitual residence rule
Securing rented over 55's flat with a housing association
Claiming help with housing and council tax benefit or pension credit etc.,
Access to NHS health care.
Kind regards.

AnnieB2018

How much can you claim on universal credit until your pension kicks in?

midlandsgrandma

I can look in to that. Thank you. 

poppy12345

For housing benefit you'll need to satisfy the HRT before you can claim. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/british-and-irish-citizens-claiming-benefits/

Information here regarding NHS access. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-nhs-when-you-return-to-live-in-the-uk

Housing association property, it's difficult enough for those that already live here because waiting lists are huge. So moving from abroad i would say it's unlikely you'll get a property. You also usually need to have a local connection to the area you want to live in.

For pension credit, whether you'll be entitled to start with will depend on how much your state pension is. You'll be able to look at privately rented properties.

For disability benefits such as Attendance Allowance, you need to have lived in the UK for 2 out of the past 3 years. https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/eligibility

poppy12345

AnnieB2018 said:

How much can you claim on universal credit until your pension kicks in?

As a single person over the age of 25, with no housing costs (rent) then they will be entitled to £324.84 per month. At the moment it's £411 per month but by this is being reduced by £86 per month from October.

There will be no help with mortgage for at least 9 concecutive months on UC with zero earnings and then it's only a loan.

pmlindyloo

Worth a read:

Returning from abroad (ageuk.org.uk)

You really should consider claiming Universal Credit.

Use a benefits calculator like www.entitledto.co.uk to find out if you qualify.

You sound as if you are looking for alternatives so am guessing you have a mortgage.  Have you considered selling up and renting here?  This would give you some cash and breathing space until you received your state pension.

Have you checked out whether you would be eligible for PIP (Personal Independence Payment) if you have health issues?

Alice_Holt

midlandsgrandma said:

... My job has finished and currently no income...

...Will I have issues with:
The habitual residence rule...

      1) Have you looked at NsESA or nsJSA ?   

         Or when current savings decline below £16k - UC  / CTr?



      2) Almost certainly

       Current situation:
       https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/fs25_returning_from_abroad_fcs.pdf   


 Although you can claim SP on return, you will need to bring sufficient savings back with you to tide you over the (likely) months before you can claim means-tested benefits such as Housing Benefit, Pension Credit, etc. 


       

midlandsgrandma

great comments, thanks to everyone.

TELLIT01

Just thinking about the part of your plan to move abroad for a few years.  As we are no longer part of the EU are there any financial or other requirements to comply with?  Would you get reciprocal health care etc.