Benefit Entitlement Returning to UK after working abroad for 30+ years

Flugelhorn

bioboybill said:

elsien said:

I think your sister-in-law needs to say to her husband that it is unrealistic to work abroad for prolonged periods, paying nothing into the system, apparentlymaking no p provision for the future then hoping to walk  back into housing /benefits so she needs to know their full financial situation Because it affects her just as much as it affects him

I don't think he expects to walk back into housing and benefits at all. He wants to work, and he has never been on benefits in his life, but I'm worried he might not get a job so easily, and of course it financially impacts on us. I agree regarding my sister-in-law, but she has always been the junior partner in that relationship, and she has put up with it. Of course he may have money that she knows nothing about, and he may have his own private pension that she's unaware of. I'm asking now, so that I'm not lumbered if the worst happens.

I think you also need to put a time limit on their stay with you - very easy for these things to go on and on and on and it can be very difficult to say anything later on when there has been no initial agreement .

V hard for your SIL as she hasn't really much influence over the whole situation

bioboybill

I agree about a time limit, but my wife might see it differently as it's her sister, and despite the distance they are very close. She would never see her out on the street, and to be honest neither would I.

Pookieface

Would he be fussy about what sort of work? As like l said in my last post, start off with a job agency. 

bioboybill

Pookieface said:

Would he be fussy about what sort of work? As like l said in my last post, start off with a job agency. 

No idea, because he keeps everything to himself. I only know what's happening via my wife messaging her sister. He has always had pretty highly paid jobs, and got most of them via agencies and networking. You would think anything would be better than nothing. Obviously I'm hoping it all works out for him and he doesn't have to come back home, but time is tight now.

Pookieface

Yes that's what my partner said, anything is better than nothing. He had always been in hospitality but completely changed tack here, getting a job in a factory and not being able to speak much english then, l thought, god he is going to hate this! 8 years later he is still there.

Spoonie_Turtle

The only benefit open to them once they've passed the HRT would likely be Universal Credit, unless they has savings above £16,000 including any your SIL doesn't know about. 
(Usually private and occupational pension 'pots' are disregarded as capital but I have no clue how a non-UK official pension pot might be viewed, whether it would fall under the legal definition here UC or not.)

UC can include money towards rent if they found somewhere* but it's very low, 30% of the market rate in each area and as a couple they would be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate.  You can find out how much for each area here  https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/
To convert the weekly amount into monthly that UC would pay, x52 ÷12.

*they can't claim any rent help for living with you, even if they had a lodger tenancy because they are siblings(-in-law).  https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/claiming_benefits_if_you_rent_from_family