Check if you can pass the habitual residence test for benefits
If you’re from the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein and you want to apply for benefits, you’ll need to show you have the right to claim. You’ll also need to show you plan to stay in the UK.
You can show this by passing the ‘habitual residence test’.
Passing the habitual residence test
What you'll need to prove will depend on what benefit you want to claim. You'll usually need to show:
- the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man is your main home and you plan to stay - this is known as being 'habitually resident'
- you have a 'right to reside' - this depends on things like your work, family and personal situation
How you complete the habitual residence test depends on the benefit you're claiming. When you make your claim, you'll be told if it will be online, on the phone or face to face. You won't need to study for the test but you'll need to gather evidence.
If you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years or more
You can apply for ‘settled status’. If you have settled status you can apply for benefits. You won’t need to show you have a right to reside. You might still need to show you’re habitually resident if you’ve recently lived outside of the UK.
To get settled status you need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. Check how to apply for settled status.
Your benefits might stop if you don’t have settled status by 31 December 2020.
Passing the habitual residence test
To pass the test you'll be counted as 'habitually resident in fact'. To pass you'll need evidence to show:
- when you arrived in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man
- the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man is your main home
- you can afford to live in the UK
- you have a right to claim benefits in the UK
Evidence you'll need
You'll need to provide original documents - copies won't be accepted.
Show when you arrived in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man
You'll usually need to be in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for at least 1 to 3 months before you can claim benefits - this is called an 'appreciable period of time'.
It's best if you've got at least 2 documents to prove this. The documents can include:
- your travel ticket or boarding pass
- your wage slips or tax documents such as a P45 or P60
- a copy of your tenancy agreement in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man
- UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man bank or building society statements
Show the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man is your main home
You'll need to show the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man is your main home and plan to stay. These are called the 'settled intention to remain' and your 'centre of interest'.
It's best if you've got at least 2 documents to prove this is your main home and you plan to stay. The documents can include:
- a copy of your tenancy agreement in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man or proof that you've ended your tenancy in the country you've left
- UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man bank or building society statements, or proof that you've closed accounts in the country you've left - you don't need to close bank accounts, but it will strengthen your case
- bills or letters with your name and address in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man
- a letter or email from your doctor or dentist
- a letter or email from your child's school
- records of membership payments to a local club - for example, a gym membership
Show you can afford to live in the UK
You'll be asked if you have money to support yourself or if you'll get financial support from your family or charities. This is called your 'viability of residence'.
You can do this by showing:
- UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man bank or building society statements
- a letter from a charity showing you'll get financial support
Show you have a right to claim benefits in the UK
You'll need to show you have a right to live and claim benefits in the UK - this is called the 'right to reside'. Check if you have the right to reside if you're not sure.
Check if you need other evidence
What you'll need to prove will depend on what benefit you want to claim.
If you're ill, disabled or caring for someone
You'll need to be habitually resident and show you've been in England, Scotland or Wales for 2 of the last 3 years. This is called the 'past presence test'.
You'll need to pass the past presence test if you want to claim:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
If you’re claiming for someone else, for example your child, they’re the one who has to pass the past presence test.
If you’re claiming for a child under 36 months old
They only need to have been in the country for 6 months, instead of 2 years. If they’re under 6 months old, it’s reduced to 13 weeks.
If you're claiming child benefit or child tax credits
You'll need to show you've been living in the UK for the past 3 months - this is called the '3-month living in test'.
If you're claiming income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
You'll need to show you've been living in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for the past 3 months - this is called the '3-month living in test'.
After you've gathered your evidence
When you've got your evidence, check if you're eligible for the benefit you'd like to claim.